Baby Zipho could not wait to come into the world as he prompted his mother, whose name was undisclosed, into emergency labour on the evening of 29 May. Metro police Inspector Frieda Ramafemo was on her way home after her shift had ended when she was signaled to stop by an Uber driver near Riviera Road turnoff onto the M1.
The driver explained that his pregnant passenger was experiencing contractions and that it appeared she would have to give birth inside the vehicle. Ramafemo immediately called for an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) ambulance to come to the scene and then went on to assist the mother in labour.
“The expecting mother was experiencing intense pain and her contractions seemed very close apart. Showing signs of labour, I had to keep her calm and prepare for the emergency birth,” Ramafemo recalled.
However, the mother gave birth to a healthy baby boy before the ambulance arrived with the help of the inspector.
Upon arrival, paramedics found mother and child in a healthy state and took them to the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital.
The experience brought the two strangers close together, so much so that the mother requested Ramafemo to endorse her child with a second name. The inspector was seemingly overwhelmed by this gesture as she gracefully named the baby ‘Zipho,’ which means ‘gifts’.
Public Safety MMC Michael Sun commended Ramafemo’s bravery and said, “This is a movie moment in reality. We are so proud of Inspector Ramafemo for her bravery and humanity in going above the call of her duty. We wish the mother and baby Zipho good health and will definitely be visiting them soon.”
Mother and baby were discharged from hospital and went to recuperate at home.
Details: Office of the MMC for Public Safety luyandalo@joburg.org.za
Have you witnessed a public service official going beyond the call of duty? Email your story to naidines@caxton.co.za
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