On January 1, South Africa welcomed its first babies of the new year, including a 12-year-old girl who is among the nation’s youngest mothers.
The Eastern Cape’s MEC of Health, Ntandokazi Capa, announced that the province saw the birth of 40 babies that day, one of them from the 12-year-old, whose alleged partner is 17 years old.
Capa expressed concern regarding the situation, stating, “We are deeply saddened by this development.
This is, in many respects, a case of statutory rape, and we will collaborate with other departments, such as Social Development, to ensure accountability.
It’s crucial to identify the baby’s father and to encourage parents to educate their children about the available contraceptive methods.”
In KwaZulu-Natal, four 16-year-old girls also gave birth on New Year’s Day. Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane reported that one of these young mothers delivered at Charles Johnson Memorial Hospital in Nquthu and was impregnated by a 22-year-old man.
The other three girls gave birth at Harry Gwala Regional Hospital, and their babies were fathered by a 16-year-old boy, a 20-year-old man, and a 21-year-old man, respectively.
Simelane noted, “We are alarmed by these circumstances, particularly considering the alarming ages of these young mothers.” Additionally, the province recorded cases involving two 17-year-olds and four 18-year-olds who also gave birth.
One of the 17-year-olds, who delivered at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital, was reportedly impregnated by a 26-year-old man.
