KwaZulu-Natal ushered in the New Year on a joyful note, welcoming more than 170 babies by Thursday afternoon, each arrival symbolising fresh beginnings for families across the province. Celebrations started at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Durban, where health authorities gathered to mark the birth of KwaZulu-Natal’s first babies of 2026, describing the newborns as hopeful reminders of the province’s future. Just three hours later, by 10am, the number had climbed to 90 births, evenly split between 45 girls and 45 boys.
The first baby of the year was a boy weighing 1.8 kilograms, born to a 31-year-old mother at Queen Nandi Regional Hospital. Two minutes later, another baby boy was delivered at RK Khan Hospital, followed by several more births across KwaZulu-Natal, including four newborns at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital alone. Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane said the arrival of the New Year babies was a moment of celebration and reflection, highlighting the shared responsibility society carries from a child’s very first day of life.
“These babies represent our collective future,” Simelane said, adding that how children are nurtured, protected and supported from birth will ultimately shape the province and the country. She also expressed heartfelt appreciation for healthcare workers who ensured safe deliveries throughout the festive season. She added that their dedication and compassion continue to save lives and make a tangible difference in communities, while urging healthcare workers to also prioritise their own wellbeing.
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