In the Free State, the day started slowly, with 18 babies (nine boys and nine girls) born by 08:00 on Christmas Day, said acting Free State department of health spokesperson Pogisho Sehularo. The first baby of the day in the province was born at 00:02 at Elizabeth Ross district hospital in Qwaqwa. 

Reitumetse Tsotetsi (18) from Phuthaditjhaba gave birth to a baby girl weighing 2.64 kg.

At 00:23, Mokhehle Machabala, 27, from Verkeerdevlei delivered a baby boy at Bongani regional hospital in Welkom, weighing 2.9 kg. Shortly after, at 00:25, Ramathatele Mapaseka, 30, from Bloemfontein gave birth to a baby girl at National district hospital, with the newborn weighing 3.195 kg.

Premier, MECs visit hospitals

Free State premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae has been visiting maternity wards at National district hospital and Pelonomi academic hospital in Bloemfontein. 

Members of the executive council have also been visiting hospitals across the province, including MEC for health Monyatso Mahlatsi, who has visited Senorita Ntlabathi district hospital in Ladybrand, JD Newburry district hospital in Clocolan, and Phuthuloa district hospital in Ficksburg.

At least 28 babies were delivered in the Free State during the first eight hours of Christmas Day in 2024.

Meanwhile, in the North West province, 42 babies were born in public health facilities between 00:00 and 09:00. Of these, 22 were boys, and 20 were girls. 

The province recorded four 16-year-old mothers, the youngest among those who gave birth.

North West premier Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi, accompanied by health MEC Sello Lehari, senior officials, and hospital management teams, continued to visit and welcome Christmas babies at Mahikeng provincial hospital.

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OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cvs