Quadruple surprise for parents

EXPECTING triplets was big news for Gingindlovu couple Jabu and Mzwakhe Mthethwa, but nothing could have prepared them for finding out about the arrival of a fourth baby in the hospital delivery room.

Manelisi, Sanelisiwe, Anelisiwe and Wanelisiwe were born nearly two months prematurely on 31 October at Netcare The Bay Hospital, each weighing less than 1.6kg.

But with each week, the new-born boy and his three sisters gained enough weight to leave the hospital with Wanelisiwe being the last to be discharged last Friday.

They went home to yet another set of twins – their five-year-old brother and sister, who welcomed their baby siblings with open arms.

‘We now have six children from two pregnancies,’ says Jabu.

‘Having four babies at once was a shock at first, but we had to learn to accept it.’

The twin gene runs strong in the Mthethwa family with Jabu’s grandmother and Mzwakhe’s father both being twins.

And both Jabu and Mzwakhe are science teachers at Gingindlovu’s Isandlwana High School and Madlanga High School with earnings sadly insufficient to care for all four infants.

‘We are happy that they are healthy, but we really need support,’ says Jabu.

‘We would really appreciate anything that can be donated to assist us with our four little ones,’ she said.

To support the family, contact Jabu Mthethwa on 076 2704418