By Staff Reporter
KGAPANE-In a sobering report from the Limpopo Department of Health, a total of 24 babies were born to teenage mothers in the province, with the youngest being only 14 years old.
This 14-year-old delivered her baby at the Kgapane Hospital, located outside Modjadjiskool, which saw seven other teenage mothers give birth on New Year’s Day alone.
The overall statistics for South Africa reveal that a total of 1448 babies were born on January 1, 2025, across the country’s public health facilities, marking a decrease from the 1703 births recorded on the same day in 2024.
While the number of births has dropped, the Department of Health has noted that the number of teenage mothers also decreased significantly—from 190 in 2024 to just over 80 this year.
However, while the figures suggest some progress, the Department of Health remains concerned about the ongoing issue of teenage pregnancy and its devastating impact on young girls.
Teenage pregnancy often results in interrupted education, poor academic performance, and school dropout, particularly for those who lack the family support systems to care for their babies while they try to continue their studies.
The Department is calling on families, communities, and other sectors of society to join hands with the government and non-governmental organizations to combat the scourge of teenage pregnancy.
Tackling the root causes—such as lack of sexual education, poverty, and limited access to contraception—will be crucial in curbing this trend.
In addition to educational interventions, the Department of Health, alongside the Departments of Social Developmentand Basic Education, is working to provide comprehensive support for young mothers.
Through existing programmes, the government is committed to ensuring that young mothers have the resources they need to raise healthy childrenwhile continuing their education.
Breakdown of Births by Province
- Eastern Cape: 219
- Gauteng: 387
- Free State: 85
- Limpopo: 191
- KwaZulu-Natal: 185
- Mpumalanga: 154
- North West: 89
- Northern Cape: 37
- Western Cape: 101
While the number of teen pregnancies has decreased, the struggle to eliminate teenage pregnancy in South Africa remains far from over. Government and communities must continue working together to provide education, support, and care to young girls to help them build a better future for themselves and their children. The road ahead is challenging, but with collective effort, significant progress can be made.
