Overview
- KwaZulu-Natal recorded 144 births at public facilities by midday, with 20 teenage mothers reported between midnight and 9am, including two 16-year-olds.
- Eastern Cape updated its tally to 90 births between midnight and noon after an earlier 38 by 10am, as 69 intern doctors started at Frere Hospital.
- Mpumalanga reported 50 births, including six teenage mothers with the youngest aged 14, prompting Form 22 reporting and referrals to Social Development, police and the National Prosecuting Authority.
- Other provincial counts published on Thursday included Limpopo with 26, the Free State with 20, the Western Cape with 28 (public sector), and the Northern Cape with 20, with figures still being updated.
- Provincial leaders called for stronger prevention, education and support for young mothers, citing StatsSA’s 123,971 births to mothers aged 19 and under from 1 January 2024 to 28 February 2025.