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New born babies
The National Department of Health has raised serious concern over a sharp increase in teenagers giving birth recorded on New Year’s Day.
Over 160 teenagers gave birth this year, compared to just over 80 last year.
More than 1 600 babies were delivered across South Africa’s public health facilities. The department says the increase highlights an ongoing social and public health challenge that requires urgent coordinated intervention.
The Department of Health has confirmed in a statement issued on 02 January 2026 that 1 669 babies were born across the country’s public health facilities on New Year’s Day.
As South Africa welcomes these new lives, the Department of Social Development (DSD) reaffirms its mandate… pic.twitter.com/jXigV8VqGg
— Social Development (@The_DSD) January 4, 2026
The department’s spokesperson Foster Mohale says they are urging families and communities to work together and help stop the cycle of teenage pregnancies.
“Unfortunately, some of these girls, they don’t disclose the age and the type of relationship of those who impregnated them. So, that’s why we need the support of family members to say, please, let’s try to work closely as a society to ensure that they will act in the best interest of these children in case, especially for those who got pregnant as a result of rape, so that we try to send a strong message to those who take advantage of these young girls and impregnate them and they need to be arrested.”
VIDEO | Concerns raised over teenage pregnancies in SA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vrkz4hYBnlI
