Central SA
Free State welcomes 15 babies born early on Good Friday─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 11:46 Fri, 18 Apr 2025
The spirit of Easter was met with joyful cries of new life in the Free State, as 15 babies were thus far born on Good Friday.
Of the 15 babies, ten are females and five are males.
Free State MEC for Health, Monyatso Mahlatsi, proudly shared the news, noting that the first Easter baby arrived just after 01:00 at the Nala Hospital.
The first bundle of joy was born to Annah Mohohlo (41) from Bothaville, who delivered a healthy baby boy weighing 2.995 kg at 01:15 am.
Free State Health spokesperson Mondli Mvambi confirmed additional Easter arrivals. Uzile Mashinini (34) from Reitz gave birth to a baby girl weighing 2.505 kg at the Dihlabeng Regional Hospital at 02:35. Shortly after, Patricia Nqola (34) from Bloemfontein welcomed a 3.1 kg baby boy at the Pelonomi Tertiary Hospital at 02:42.
MEC Mahlatsi extended his heartfelt congratulations to all the new mothers and praised the province’s healthcare workers. “We thank the midwives and all supporting staff for their unwavering dedication to ensuring safe deliveries and better health outcomes for mothers and newborns,” said Mahlatsi.
He further urged new mothers to adhere to essential newborn care practices, which include delayed cord clamping, proper drying and breathing assessments, immediate skin-to-skin contact, and early initiation of exclusive breastfeeding.
Mvambi noted that the total number of Easter weekend births will be released later. He said no teenager has given birth.
