Gauteng confirms 184 Christmas Day births

JOHANNESBURG/CAPE TOWN - Gauteng has confirmed the birth of 184 Christmas Day babies,

Home Affairs Deputy Minister Njabulo Nzuza, along with provincial government officials joined new parents at Tembisa Hospital, Ekurhuleni, to celebrate the newborns’ arrival with hampers.

Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko shared her sentiments about motherhood, and the joys that the journey brings to parents.

"I was so excited for the mothers; I am a mother too. So, when they are sitting in those beds, I know you need each and every person that can come and say to you, ‘this is what I am bringing for your child’."

“So, the excitement and the tears of joy that we have seen on them, it's because of the good work that we are doing.”

ALSO READ:

Meanwhile, the Western Cape welcomed 18 babies on Christmas Day.

The bundles of joy – eight boys and 10 girls – were delivered between midnight and 11:30am.

The Western Cape’s Health and Wellness Department says the first 1,000 days of a child’s life are important – encouraging the new parents to support their children’s development.

“The first little girl weighing in at 3.26 kg [was] born at 00:10 at Paarl Hospital,” said the department’s Dwayne Evans.

He expressed gratitude to all staff and hospital workers who helped with the safe delivery of the babies.

“We also send a sincere thank-you to all our staff members, including our midwives for their hard work and dedication on this special day."