A kindhearted Gladys Mokgotho (55) never thought assisting a pregnant woman to give birth would make the headlines.
She is a hero in Tubatse and the rest of Mzansi.
Mokgotho is the woman who was recently captured on video assisting a distressed young mother to give
birth outside the gates of Burgersfort Clinic.
Steelburger/Lydenburg News recently caught up with this mother of four. Clad in her blue apron,
cooking vetkoek next to the clinic, the street vendor detailed how everyone appreciated her after her
heroic encounter.
With no midwifery experience, she said she felt the eagerness and goodwill to assist the young mother,
who was a stranger to her.
“With that stress and those nerves, I felt like I had some kind of power come over me. I realised that if I
didn’t help her, no one would, so I had to do everything for that child to survive. And it worked out.”
Mokgotho said she was caught by surprise when everyone ran to the clinic gates that day.
“I also went to the gates and saw the young lady. I immediately ordered the other women to cover
her with towels. I then assisted her to give birth. The other ladies helped to ensure the safety of both the baby and mother.”
Gladys Mokgotho.
She said she knocked off early that day.
Asked if it was the first time she assisted someone to give birth, Mokgotho said the only experience
she had was being helped to give birth herself by her grandmother in 1985 at home in Shakung.
“My first baby was born at home. When I saw the lady’s situation, I remembered how my granny had helped me to give birth to my firstborn back in August 1985. The steps she took came back to my mind
and I successfully followed them.
It’s still a dream to me that I have orchestrated the process with flying colours and saved lives,” said the
mother.
“It’s through God’s powers that we have saved the life of the young boy.”
Originally from Shakung Village, but residing in Burgersfort Ext 10, Mokgotho said she did not think
she had done anything great, but realised it when people started visiting her and applauding her
courage.
To show its appreciation, Yakgona Multipurpose Cleaners bought her groceries and flour for
her vetkoek business.
The EFF Tubatse also applauded her for her actions
You can read the full story on our App. Download it here.
