Gauteng MEC for Health, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, has welcomed more than 196 babies born on the first day of 2026 across the province’s public hospitals.

The MEC visited Leratong Hospital on the West Rand, where she and her team brought some smiles to mothers and their little ones. Of these, 90 were boys, and 106 were girls, including two sets of twins.

“The four academic hospitals delivered a total of 38 babies, while tertiary hospitals accounted for 22 births. Additionally, regional and district hospitals combined delivered 100 babies, and community health centres (CHCs) contributed 36 deliveries,” the MEC said in a statement on Thursday.

The MEC’s visit was not only about joyous celebrations but also highlighted the critical importance of maternal and newborn care.

Nkomo-Ralehoko expressed her sentiments about how the births of these children represent hope for a brighter future and underscore the need for quality healthcare services to support the healthy development of new lives.

During her visit, she engaged with postpartum mothers, sharing in their joy and providing them with baby gift hampers. These hampers included a range of essential pre-loved baby items donated by the Future4Baby organisation, created to assist new parents in managing their care for their newborns effectively.

Nkomo-Ralehoko added that the births symbolise hope and new beginnings and highlight the importance of quality maternal and newborn care in supporting the development of healthy children.

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Meanwhile, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Health, Nomagugu Simelane, confirmed that the province became home to 90 babies by lunchtime, making the province one of the leading provinces in New Year’s Day births.

“Although the details are still being consolidated, KZN reported that as of 7am, the province had registered a total of 63 New Year babies. The number was made up of 31 girls and 32 boys, while by 10am, the number had grown to 90, with an addition of 13 boys and 14 girls, which gave KZN 45 girls and 45 boys,” she said.

However, Simelane cautioned against the increase in young mothers under the age of 18 saying: “While we welcome these New Year babies, we must also register our concern, particularly over our very young mothers.

“On Christmas Day last week, KwaZulu-Natal recorded a total of 302 births, which were made up of 166 girls and 136 boys. Alarmingly, 70 mothers were teenagers, with the youngest being three 15-year-old girls. Among these young mothers was a 16-year-old girl, who was impregnated by a 32-year-old man.”

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According to media reports, the North West Province welcomed 25 babies before 8am, marking a joyful start to the year. The newborns include 15 girls and 10 boys.

It is reported that Ngaka Modiri Molema District led with eight births, followed by Bojanala and Dr. Kenneth Kaunda with six each, and Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati with five. 

In Limpopo, health facilities welcomed 26 new babies in the New Year by 12pm, with more numbers still to come.

Speaking on behalf of the provincial department, Percy Moagi revealed that of the 26 newborns, 15 are boys and 11 are girls, while reports from the Northern Cape reported the birth of only four babies by midday.

Preliminary reports from the Western Cape revealed that the province welcomed 28 bundles of joy at the time of going to print, with one of the first bundles of joy from the province being Olumiyo Miqi, who arrived at 03:12, weighing in at 3,995 grams.

While welcoming the newborns, Nkomo-Ralehoko also highlighted the issue of teenage pregnancy, saying it remains a major concern in the province, despite reports of a significant decline compared to last year.

Her visit to Leratong comes just a week after she welcomed at least 428 babies born in Gauteng on Christmas Day, including four sets of twin girls.

“Today we celebrate the miracle of life by welcoming babies born on New Year’s Day at Leratong Hospital in Kagiso. In addition to sharing in the joy of new beginnings, this is an opportunity to engage parents on critical topics related to newborn care, with a particular focus on the importance of breastfeeding and timely immunisation,” she added.

siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za 

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