Christmas Babies: 108 Babies Born On Christmas Day In South Africa

More than 100 babies were born in Gauteng, South Africa, on Christmas Day, the provincial health department said on Thursday. Spokesman Prince Hamnca said a total of 108 babies were born in the province. Mamelodi Hospital and Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital each delivered 14 babies, while Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital and Kalafong Hospital delivered 11 each. In KwaZulu-Natal 65 babies were born at government hospitals, Health MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo said.

“We are delighted, of course, to welcome these new lives on Christmas Day, which is a very special day, as we all know. I did speak to them... If you are a 17 year-old, and you are delivering a child weighing 3,8kg, chances of delivering safely are slim." 

“It actually places your own life and the baby's in danger, and it is something that all of us as society need to begin to talk about and discourage.”

The first baby, a girl, was delivered at Donald Frazer hospital, followed by a boy at Mankweng Hospital. “These babies were all born healthy, their mothers are well and in high spirits,” said spokesman Macks Lesufi.

The SABC reported that 20 babies were born in the Northern Cape and 21 in the Free State.