Concerns raised over number of births by teens with the youngest aged 13 on New Year’s Day

While the country welcomed more than 1000 newborn babies over Christmas and New Year, many of these babies face a grim future with they youngest mother aged 13.

The health department congratulated the first parents of the year, following the birth of 509 babies in health facilities across the country on New Year’s Day.

The department said 259 boys and 250 girls were born between midnight and midday on the first day of the New Year.

Gauteng recorded the highest number of births followed by KwaZulu-Natal, then the Eastern Cape. The Northern Cape recorded the least number of births.

Gauteng public health facilities recorded 167 newborn babies on New Year’s Day.

Tembisa Hospital recorded the highest number of births in the province with 44 babies, while The Far East Rand Hospital recorded to pairs of twins.

But department of health spokesperson Foster Mohale said it was a “concern” that 100 teens as young as 13 gave birth.

Democratic Alliance Gauteng shadow health MEC Jack Bloom said a baby was always a blessing but expressed concern in the number of teen moms.

“I am concerned about the rise in teenage mothers because one would like babies to be born into stable two-parent families where parents are employed,” he said.

Bloom also raise concern over the fatherhood crisis.

“Where are the fathers? It’s not just teenage single mothers, there are also older women single parents. We have to ensure the conditions these babies grow up in because there is a problem with teenage mothers, abandoned babies, absconded fathers and unemployment,” he said.

KwaZulu-Natal’s youngest mother, whose baby is among the province’s 109 New Year’s Day births, is 15 years old while the father is also the same age.

eThekwini district recorded the most birth at 27, followed by Zululand at 16.

On Sunday health MEC Nomagugu Simelane and premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube visited the Harry Gwala regional hospital to welcome new babies.

Simelane expressed concern about the trend of young girls falling pregnant. She said it was “not normal” for girls to engage in sex at such an early age and should never be allowed.

Source: IOL, The Citizen, Sowetan Live, image from Twitter: @EljoJStrauss

Doctor Mahlaule

Doctor Mahlaule previously worked as a Freelance Journalist at Find-it SA where he was responsible for writing news articles and sharing them on social media platforms. Doctor Mahlaule holds a Diploma in Journalism, BA in Communication Science and a BA Honours in Media Studies. Doctor began his journey as a knowledge Management and Communications Intern at Zenex Foundation. He was responsible for support in event management, social media, website maintenance, writing and brand management. On weekends Doctor attends prison ministry and shares the scriptures with inmates at Krugersdorp prison and plays soccer in the afternoon on some weekends. He has a passion for reading and writing and enjoys going out with friends and socialising in his spare time. He has a one-year-old son and is planning on getting married soon. When asked about what keeps him going, he said: “My family keeps me going. I’m the man I am because I come from a loving home. I have a very supportive family who always encourages me to keep pushing hard.”

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