KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane says government efforts to curb teenage pregnancy seem to be failing as more babies are born to underage girls.
Simelane was addressing the media in Ladysmith as she welcomed newborn babies on Christmas Day in the province.
At least 70 babies had been delivered by 10 this morning throughout the province; and more are expected.
Simelane says among the mothers are three 15-year-old girls who delivered at hospitals in Durban.
She further expressed concerns that most of the teen mothers are impregnated by older men.
“We also note with great concern that we had the same number of 15-year-old mothers at this time on Christmas Day last year. It means even as we are engaging on this matter as the province, there is no change that is happening with in our society and that is a serious worry. Well while the father of the baby at GJ Crooks is an 18-year-old, it is particularly chocking that the 16-year-old mother who gave birth at Queen Nandi Hospital was impregnated by a 32-year-old man.”
Meanwhile, Simelane is encouraging parents of teenage mothers to take action.
“I wish to make a call to the parents of these young children to actually take steps towards ensuring that they get justice for this this young ladies because they are children…imagine a 14-year-old that is pregnant – what does it say to you as a parent; but what does it say about us as the society where we allow 14-year-olds to fall pregnant and there are no consequence consequences? I am going to be going to engage with the MSC for social development so we are able put our heads together and have a discussion.”
Free State babies
In the Free State, mothers are also celebrating the birth of their newborn babies across hospitals in the province on Christmas Day.
Free State mothers also celebrating their Christmas bundles of joy:
