More than 40 babies were born on Christmas Day at Rob Ferreira Hospital, while Mediclinic Nelspruit welcomed two babies in the early hours of December 25.
Xolile Ndlovu gave birth to her healthy baby girl at 03:03 at Mediclinic, and she named her Ingiphile (which means “He gave me”) because she had been in labour for many hours and had lost hope, but God decided to give her a child.
“I was expecting my child on December 29, but I am excited that I have managed to give birth today. I am looking forward to raising her,” she said.
The MEC for health in Mpumalanga, Sasekani Manzini, visited Tonga Hospital in Nkomazi Local Municipality to conduct a courtesy visit to Christmas-born babies in the martenity ward. So far, five babies have been born, three boys and two girls.
“We are happy that our facility managed to deliver healthy babies, and we are still expecting more babies until midnight.
While at Rob Ferreira, we welcomed 40 babies from 00:00 to 14:00. At Matikwane Hospital they welcome a set of twins. We are expecting the number to increase before midnight,” she said.
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Some of the mothers received gifts from the department.
Mediclinic Nelspruit’s ward unit manager on call, Precious Ncongwane, provided gifts to the two families and congratulated them on having their babies on Christmas Day.
“It is a blessing to witness babies being born on such a special day, and we are grateful to be involved with the families’ big day,” she said.