By Staff Reporter
POLOKWANE – Christmas Day 2024 saw more than 570 babies welcomed into the world across South Africa, with the youngest of the new mothers being just 13 years old.
The young girl gave birth to a healthy baby at Seshego Hospital, located outside of Polokwane, in Limpopo. She is among the many mothers who gave birth on this festive day, which also marked the arrival of 6 sets of twins across the country.
The 13-year-old’s delivery is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by young girls, many of whom are still in their teens, and highlights the growing concerns about teenage pregnancy in South Africa.
Along with her, three other 15-year-olds gave birth in KwaZulu-Natal at Emmaus, Hlabisa, and St Andrews Hospitals. Another young mother, 16 years old, gave birth to a baby boy at Klerksdorp/Tshepong Tertiary Hospital in the North West province. Among the mothers was a 16-year-old girl from Mohlahlareng Village, who gave birth to a baby girl
In total, 572 babies were born between midnight and midday on Christmas Day in public health facilities across the country.
The first Christmas baby was born precisely at midnight at Osindisweni Hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, followed closely by another delivery just a minute later at Nkhensani Hospital in Limpopo.
The festive spirit was reflected in the joy shared by the mothers and healthcare workers as two additional deliveries were recorded within seconds at Standerton Hospital in Mpumalanga and Madwaleni Hospital in the Eastern Cape.
This annual event, while bringing much-needed joy to the country’s public health system, also serves as a powerful reminder of the hard work and dedication of healthcare staff during holidays.
Here’s a breakdown of the number of babies born in public hospitals across South Africa between midnight and midday on Christmas Day:
- Eastern Cape: 104 babies (57 boys, 47 girls)
- Gauteng: 184 babies (105 boys, 79 girls)
- Free State: 24 babies (15 boys, 9 girls)
- Limpopo: 84 babies (44 boys, 40 girls)
- KwaZulu-Natal: 47 babies (21 boys, 26 girls)
- Mpumalanga: 34 babies (20 boys, 14 girls)
- North West: 50 babies
- Northern Cape: 30 babies (14 boys, 16 girls)
- Western Cape: 18 babies (8 boys, 10 girls)
While the joy of Christmas births is undeniable, the cases of young mothers raise concerns about the high rates of teenage pregnancies in the country.
According to recent statistics, South Africa has one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancies globally, and the issue is particularly prevalent in rural areas and lower-income communities. The 13-year-old mother from Seshego is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities many young girls face, and experts argue that addressing the root causes of teenage pregnancies—such as lack of education, access to sexual health services, and social support systems—is crucial for the country’s future.
