Is there any better way to start the new year than by welcoming a newborn baby into this world? Three Roodepoort families welcomed new arrivals – two boys and a girl – on 1 January at the Life Flora Clinic.
The first 2017 New Year’s Day baby born at the hospital was the son of 37-year-old Mmakgotso Mokgadi and Eric Tembo, a couple from Lindhaven. Orearabile Tumelo Tembo was born at 2.27pm, weighed 2,82 kilograms and measured 52 centimetres. “We have been trying for a very long time to have a baby and his birth is such a blessing. He is our first child, born on the first day of the new year,” Mmakgotso said, smiling. Orearabile was only expected on 6 January, but was eager to start the adventure called life.
The second baby born on this day was not expected for another two weeks. Honeydew Ridge couple, George and Yolandi van den Berg, 32, was on holiday in Brits when she suspected that something was not right. “I told my husband, and he said we should come back and see the doctor, just in case,” she said. When they arrived at the hospital, the doctor told them to prepare for an emergency Caesarean section. Their baby boy, Riegardt was born at 3.20pm and weighed 2,6 kilograms. “It was wonderful to hear him cry and know he is healthy and safe. We are very proud parents and are so blessed to receive such a great gift on this special day,” she said. Riegardt is a healthy baby boy, but because he was born a little prematurely, he was taken to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for observation. According to Yolandi, her husband George is very excited about the birth of their second son. “To have another son is very special to him,” she said.
27-year old Betty Thepanyikga and Peter Raphala from Constantia Kloof, welcomed their second child – a baby girl – at 4.25pm. Bonolo was expected to be born in December, but she decided to make her parents wait a little longer and make a grand entrance into this world – almost two weeks after her due date. She weighed 3,8 kilograms and measured 52 centimetres. “We are very happy to have her, although it felt like the first time,” said Betty. She said Bonolo’s six-year-old sister is very excited about her baby sister and already promised to sing Twinkle, twinkle, little star to her when she cries.
The Member of the Electoral Committee for the Gauteng Health Department, Qedani Mahlangu confirmed 284 babies – 53 boys and 131 girls – were born in Gauteng on New Year’s Day, with the first one arriving at one minute past midnight.
“We congratulate all parents with the birth of their new babies and wish them a long and healthy life‚” she said.
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