Rustenburg – At least 31 babies had been born by mid-morning on Christmas Day in the North West, with the youngest mother being only 15 years old.
Giving a breakdown of Christmas births, the North West Department of Health said 11 babies were born in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District, eight in the Bojanala District, seven in the Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District, and five in the Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District.
North West Health Department spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane, said 13 boys and 18 girls had been born in the province by 10:30 on Christmas Day.
Lekgethwane said the first arrival was a baby born at Job Shimankana Tabane (JST) Hospital in Rustenburg.
“First baby in the Province: born at JST Hospital an African male arrived at 00:15.
Both mother and baby’s condition is satisfactory.” Lekgethwane said.
He said the youngest mother was 15 years old.
The mother and baby were in stable condition.
However, the mother’s tender age was sure to raise eyebrows.
According to the SA Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act (2007), the age of consent for both boys and girls is 16 years of age.
