Central SA
Christmas babies warmly welcomed in Free State─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 07:47 Tue, 26 Dec 2023
“The first baby, weighing 2.755 kg, was born at the Itemoheng District Hospital in Senekal at around 00:35.”
At least 15 babies delivered in the Free State on Christmas day have brought smiles to their mothers and families.
Of the 15 babies born between 00:01 and 06:00 on Monday (25/11), six were boys and nine girls. The first baby, weighing 2.755 kg, was born in Itemoheng District Hospital in Senekal at around 00:35. Three babies were born to teenage mothers between the ages of 17 and 19.
Sr Suzan Ntsala with Modiehi Dlamini and her son and Sr Ruth Beukes at Itemoheng Hospital in Senekal. Baby Dlamini was the first baby born in a public health facility in the Free State.
Free State Health MEC Mathabo Leeto and Mangaung Deputy Mayor Lulama Titi-Odili were at MUCPP in Bloemfontein to congratulate the mothers and hand over baby care packages on Monday (25/12).
Mathabo said the Executive Council took a decision that MECs, mayors and HODs should visit 32 hospitals in the province to congratulate mothers who gave birth on Christmas Day. She did, however, raise concerns over the three teenage mothers and discouraged girls from falling pregnant at young age.
Meanwhile, Mpho Seloana (36) said she will never forget this Christmas after giving birth to a healthy baby girl, Orefilwe, at Universitas Academic hospital in Bloemfontein.
Baby Orefilwe was born at 01:08 on Christmas Day to mom Mampho Jeanette Selloane at Universitas Academic Hospital.
Dr Silindokuhle Maphumulo said babies born on 25 December and 1 January are extra special as everyone is in a celebratory mood. Mothers-to-be experience more pressure to deliver around Christmas Day.
Meanwhile, National Health spokesperson Foster Mohale confirmed that the first Christmast baby nationwide was born at 00:00 in Galeshewe Day Hospital in the Northern Cape. Families welcomed more than 500 babies nationally.
