Final tally: 171 babies born on Christmas Day in Western Cape
The first baby born on Christmas Day was a little girl at Helderberg Hospital to mother Zizibele Silo.
Image: Supplied
Christmas Day brought new life to the Western Cape, with a total of 171 babies born at provincial public health facilities, according to the Department of Health and Wellness.
Of the total births, 80 were boys and 91 were girls. The first three Christmas babies arrived in the early hours of the morning: the first, a 3.5kg baby girl, was born at Helderberg Hospital at midnight to mother Zizibele Silo. Minutes later, at Khayelitsha District Hospital, Alena Nkayi gave birth to a 2.1kg baby girl at 00:04. The third baby girl was born at Worcester Hospital at 00:18 to mother Enid Asjan.
We previously reported that a total of 32 babies were born at public health facilities across the Western Cape between midnight and 2:30pm on Thursday, December 25.
Tygerberg Hospital saw two sets of twins join the Christmas Day arrivals. One set, a boy and a girl, was born between 4:48pm and 5:58pm, while the other set was two girls.
“Welcoming new life at Christmas is a profound blessing, a reminder of hope and renewal during this season of joy. We extend heartfelt congratulations to the families of these precious little ones.
"This miracle would not be possible without the dedication of healthcare workers who, even on Christmas Day, serve tirelessly, often away from their own loved ones, to care for others,” said Mireille Wenger, Western Cape Minister of Health and Wellness.
The department reminded parents about the importance of the first 1 000 days of a child’s life, describing it as a critical period for physical, social, and brain development. Parents were encouraged to support early development through proper nutrition, timely immunisations, and early learning activities such as reading to children.
The department congratulated parents on the safe delivery of their babies and expressed gratitude to healthcare staff, including midwives, for their work on Christmas Day.
The National Department of Health said it welcomed more than 700 newborns delivered in public health facilities across the country between midnight and midday on Christmas Day.