Health authorities have raised serious concern after 15-year-old girls were among the mothers who gave birth on Christmas Day across South Africa, highlighting what officials describe as a deepening social and child-protection crisis.
The National Department of Health confirmed that more than 30 teenage mothers gave birth in public health facilities between midnight and midday on Christmas Day, with several provinces reporting mothers as young as 15.
National Health Department spokesperson Foster Mohale said cases involving girls of this age are deeply troubling, as they point to failures in protection systems meant to safeguard children.
“Fifteen-year-olds are still children. When they give birth, it raises serious health, social and legal concerns,” Mohale said.
Provinces report multiple 15-year-old mothers
In the Eastern Cape, Health MEC Ntandokazi Capa confirmed that a number of teenage mothers, including 15-year-olds, were among those who gave birth on Christmas Day.
She stressed that health facilities are legally obligated to report such cases.
“When a 15-year-old presents at our facility, we must immediately report the matter to Social Development and the police so that a case can be opened,” Capa said.
In KwaZulu-Natal, Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane revealed that three 15-year-old girls gave birth at hospitals in Durban.
She described the situation as a serious failure of society, particularly where minors are impregnated by older men.
“It is extremely concerning that we are still seeing 15-year-old children becoming mothers, with little change from previous years,” Simelane said.
She urged parents and guardians to take action and seek justice, warning that allowing such cases to go unreported enables continued abuse of minors.
In Gauteng, Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko also confirmed that underage mothers, including girls below 16, were recorded at hospitals on Christmas Day.
She said these cases would be referred to Justice and Social Development for further intervention.
Child protection at the centre of concern
Health officials have stressed that pregnancies involving 15-year-old girls are not merely health issues, but matters of child protection and criminal accountability.
Authorities are calling for stronger parental involvement, community vigilance and law enforcement action to protect children and prevent the continued victimisation of underage girls.
“This is not normal and it should not be accepted,” officials said, warning that without decisive action, the cycle of abuse and early motherhood will continue.
Gauteng highest
Provincial statistics showed Gauteng recorded the highest number of births (217), followed by the Eastern Cape with 106.
Other provincial figures were as follows:
- Limpopo: 88 births
- Mpumalanga: 87
- KwaZulu-Natal: 74
- North West: 53
- Free State and Western Cape: 32 each
- Northern Cape: 25
