The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness announced 253 babies – 107 boys and 146 girls – were born at Western Cape public health facilities on 1 January 2024.
The first baby born on New Year’s Day, a boy, was born at Mowbray Maternity Hospital at 00:00 and the second, a girl, was born at Khayelitsha District Hospital at 00:15.
Roché Laws, spokesperson for the Department of Health and Wellness in the Overberg District, reported that in the Overberg District eight babies were born on Christmas Day and 10 on New Year’s Day.
In the Overberg Otto du Plessis Hospital in Bredasdorp welcomed two boys and a girl on Christmas Day, while one baby boy was born in Hermanus Hospital, two girls at the Grabouw CDC and one boy and one girl at Caledon Hospital.
On New Year’s Day, one baby boy was born at Swellendam Hospital, two boys and one girl at Hermanus Hospital and one girl at Grabouw CDC. Caledon Hospital welcomed a whopping number, of four boys and one girl, on the first day of the new year.
“The department congratulates the parents on the safe delivery of all the new arrivals on 25 December 2023 and 1 January 2024,” said Laws. “We look forward to being a part of their development journey. We also extend a sincere thank you to all our staff members, including midwives, for their hard work and dedication on this special day.”
Western Cape Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Nomafrench Mbombo added: “With 1 January signalling the beginning of a new year we as the Department of Health and Wellness are truly blessed to be entrusted with the delivery of these young ones. As the parents begin this new chapter of their lives we encourage them to take note of the importance and impact the first 1 000 days has on a child’s life.
“In the next few years we implore that children be given nutritious meals, that they are kept up to date with their immunisations, and they enjoy a healthy and safe living environment.”