The Eastern Cape Department of Health has announced that a total of 187 babies were born across public and private healthcare facilities in the province on Christmas Day, 25 December 2025. Of these newborns, 95 were boys and 92 were girls.
Births were recorded in all districts, with the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality reporting the highest number at 53. This was followed by OR Tambo District with 36 births, while Alfred Nzo and Chris Hani districts each recorded 21 births.
Eastern Cape Health MEC, Ntandokazi Capa, welcomed the Christmas Day arrivals and praised healthcare workers for their dedication during the festive season. She commended midwives, nurses, doctors, and support staff for ensuring uninterrupted maternal and neonatal services, and for maintaining high standards of care to guarantee safe deliveries throughout the province.
However, the Department expressed concern over teenage pregnancies, noting that 40 of the births were to mothers aged between 15 and 19 years. Encouragingly, no births were recorded among girls aged 10 to 14.
The MEC reiterated that teenage pregnancy remains a significant social and public health challenge in the Eastern Cape. She emphasized the Department’s ongoing commitment to strengthening prevention programmes, expanding access to youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services, and intensifying community education initiatives.
MEC Capa further confirmed that the Department will continue to collaborate closely with law enforcement agencies, the Department of Social Development, schools, and community structures to ensure that any cases involving abuse, exploitation, or statutory offences against minors are properly reported, investigated, and addressed in accordance with the law.
The Eastern Cape Department of Health reaffirmed its dedication to improving maternal, neonatal, and child health outcomes, while intensifying efforts to prevent teenage pregnancies and provide appropriate healthcare and support services to young mothers across the province.
