The spokesperson for the Free State Health Department Mondli Mvambi says of these 45 newborns, 23 are baby boys and 22 are baby girls.

The first baby in the province was at Winburg Hospital just five minutes after the country welcomed 2022.

The provincial Health MEC, Montseng Tsiu, wishes all the parents all the best in this journey of parenthood.

The department has lamented that of the 45 babies born as of 4 pm on Saturday, 3 were born to teenage mothers.

Mvambi says the mothers are ages 16 and 17-years-old and are from Boitumelo, Katleho and El Ross Hospitals.

OFM News preciously reported that North West Health MEC, Madoda Sambatha,was expected to welcome New Year babies at the Klerksdorp Hospital in the province on Saturday.

The provincial health department said it is committed to eradicating maternal and neonatal deaths, hence the celebration of these births, which mark the beginning of 2022.

The North West is yet to release the updated numbers on New Year’s births.

OFM News