Update :65 Babies born on Leap Day in public health facilities

Saturday, 29th February 2020, proved to be a bustle of activity for both staff and parents at public health care facilities throughout the Western Cape as 65 babies were born by 15:00 on Leap Day, comprising of 24 boys and 41 girls. Leap Day comes just once every four years, so it’s a special day for newborn babies, and birthdays for both the young and the old.

Mother, Anne Gogela and father, Thandisizwe Gilmani were the first to welcome their boy at 00:04 at Tygerberg Hospital, weighing 4035 g and 51 cm in length. The second, a girl, was born at 00:06 at Gugulethu Community Health Clinic, weighing 2580 g and 52 cm in length, to mother Sivuyile Matewu. The third Leap Day baby, a girl born at 00:10 at Retreat Community Health Centre weighing 2520 g and 48 cm in length, to mother Simbulele Tshingana and father Eric Maciye and the fourth a boy born at 00:10 at Khayelitsha District Hospital weighing 3320 g and 53 cm in length, to mother Zimbini Sobekwa.  Tygerberg Hospital has been the busiest since midnight with a total of 12 births, followed by Gugulethu Community Health Clinic with a total of 6 births, and Vanguard Community Health Clinic & MOU and Macassar Community Health Clinic with 4 births each.

“I would like to congratulate the new parents and share with them in their joys as new lives have been brought into this world on this very special day. We wish them the very best with the new additions to their families. May they live a long and healthy life. Remember that the first 1 000 days of a child’s life is very important, ensure that they are immunised and provide them with good nutrition and a safe environment,” says Western Cape Minister of Health, Dr Nomafrench Mbombo.

The Western Cape Government Health congratulates the parents on the safe delivery of all the new born babies. We are excited to join parents in their baby’s health journey to give their baby a bright future, especially in their first thousand days of life. Parents are reminded to bring their baby for regular free check-ups and immunisations at their nearest clinic. We also extend a sincere thank you to all our staff members, including the midwives, for their hard work and dedication on this special day.

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