New year starts with newborns galore

2013-01-01 18:30

(Picture: Shutterstock)

Johannesburg - There will be a lot more nappy-changing taking place across South Africa as the advent of 2013 welcomed babies galore, various provincial health departments said on Tuesday.

The Eastern Cape added 81 babies to its nurseries, including a set of twin girls born at Nelson Mandela Academic hospital, provincial health spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said.

Limpopo will be reverberating with the soothing sounds of many a lullaby, after preliminary figures indicated 95 babies had made their way into the world in 2013 thus far, said the province's health spokesperson Sinenhlanhla Gumede.

A total of 57 babies were born across Gauteng during the first hours of 2013.

Charlotte Maxeke in Johannesburg had the most visits from the stork, with nine girls and six boys delivered, said health MEC Hope Papo.

Mamelodi hospital had 11 babies take their first breath and Chris Hani Baragwanath welcomed 10 new lives.

Kafalong and Yusuf Dadoo hospitals were the first homes of seven babies a piece, while Bertha Gxowa gave special attention to the four babies it brought into the world.

Steve Biko hospital has two little girls and a boy sleeping sweetly in its wards on Tuesday.

"We congratulate all the mothers that gave birth today and also encourage them to take good care of their babies and ensure that they receive the necessary immunisation," said Papo in a statement.

- Have you welcomed a new family member this New Year's Day? Send us your photos

- SAPA