KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane has raised concerns about the high rate of teenage pregnancy. Simelane raises these concerns while welcoming babies that have been delivered on Christmas in the province.

By 6:30 this morning, 47 babies had been delivered in the province, including 21 boys and 26 girls. Among these mothers are three 15-year-old girls. Simelane is calling on parents to play a critical role in raising their children.

“While we celebrate our Christmas babies, we must also confront some travelling realities. We are sad to say that today amongst the mothers have given birth today. We have three 15-year-olds who gave birth at Hlabisa and St. Aidan’s hospitals. This means that these little girls fell pregnant at the age of 14, which is highly unacceptable. Two of the fathers are aged 19, while the third one is a 23-year-old man who impregnated a 14-year-old female. That is not acceptable, and as a society, we must stand up and fight the scourge. We also have a 16-year-old mother and a 17-year-old mother who delivered at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital. And another 19-year-old who delivered at Escort Hospital. We also have an 18-year-old who gave birth at Church of Scotland Hospital these are the youngest mothers of our Christmas babies.”

KZN welcomes 47 Christmas babies:

KWAZULU-NATAL PREMIER TO WELCOME CHRISTMAS BABIES https://t.co/fm3OPBe9qS

— KZN Provincial Gov (@kzngov) December 25, 2024

Simelane has sent a stern warning to older men who are dating young girls. She also urges parents to take responsibility for their young children—girls and boys.

“We, therefore, must ask ourselves what role do we play in all of this. To older men who exploited young girls, stop it! Women alone will not be able to address this; young girls alone will not be able to address this; we need to work together as a society. Men in society need to stand up and say not in our name. We may need to stand up and fight this coach, and we need to fight as a society. And to parents, please guide your children, you need to have an honest conversation with your children about relationships, family planning, and life choices with your kids,” Simelane adds.