411 babies born on New Years Day in SA

Four hundred and eleven babies were born at public health facilities in South Africa on the first day of 2024.

Health Minister Dr. Joe Phaahla has announced that Gauteng has had the most births at 112, followed by KwaZulu-Natal with 84 and Eastern Cape with 52 babies.

Worryingly, eight teenagers are among the mothers who have delivered New Year babies in Limpopo.

In the Western Cape - 258 babies were born on 1 January 2024.

Health & Wellness MEC, Dr. Nomafrench Mbombo said of the babies born on New Year's Day, 146 are girls and 107 are boys

The first baby born on New Year’s Day, a boy, was born at Mowbray Maternity Hospital at 00:00, weighing 4.6kg to mother Mantombi Ndabezimbi.

PHOTO - WCDoH: Mother Mantombi Ndabezimbi

The second baby, a girl, was born at Khayelitsha District Hospital at 00:15, weighing 2.9kg, to mother Sanelise Maku

PHOTO - WCDoH: ''Baby Maku'' born to mother, Sanelise Maku

The third baby, also a boy, was born at Worcester Hospital at 00:24, weighing 1 695g to mother, Caroline Hanekom.

Mbombo said three sets of twins were born at Grabouw Community Health Centre, Tygerberg Hospital and Paarl Hospital, respectively.

The MEC reminded parents of the importance of the first 1 000 days on a child’s life.

"With 1 January signalling the beginning of a new year, we as the Department of Health and Wellness are truly blessed to be entrusted with the delivery of these young ones. As the parents begin this new chapter of their lives, we encourage them to take note of the importance and impact the first 1 000 days has on a child’s life. In the next few years, we implore that children are given nutritious diets, that they are kept current with their immunisations, and that they enjoy a healthy and safe living environment. As Minister, I wish everyone a Happy New Year," says Dr Nomafrench Mbombo, Western Cape Health and Wellness MEC.

‘’The Department congratulates the parents on the safe delivery of all the new arrivals on 1 January 2024. We look forward to being a part of their development journey. We also extend a sincere thank you to all our staff members, including midwives, for their hard work and dedication on this special day,’’ she added.

Done By: Mitchum George

* THIS POST HAS BEEN EDITED ON 2 JANUARY 2024, AS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF BABIES BORN IN THE WESTERN CAPE, INCREASED