HAZYVIEW – Zinthle Khoza was purchasing towels at Sheet Street, Blue Haze Mall on Wednesday January 23 when she started feeling unwell.
“It was about 10:45,” said Mr Fanie Mgwenya, manager of Sheet Street.
“Khoza had just purchased some towels from us and was paying for them when suddenly she began to feel ill and started getting stomach cramps.
“Two of my staff members, Ms Delsie Mgwenyama and Ms Auphrey Chawana, brought her some water and a chair to sit down. “Khoza complained about severe stomach cramps and we realised that she was about to give birth. “She was taken to our storeroom to lie down. We immediately called the ambulance, a doctor and centre management for assistance,” Mgenya continued.
The ambulance never arrived.
Dr MI Malatji has medical rooms in Blue Haze Centre and was at the side of the mother-to-be within minutes. Ms Mamsy Manzini, a cleaner at Blue Haze, also assisted. “The birth was quick,” says Mgwenya, “and by 11:15 a healthy and strong baby girl was born. We asked the mother if she knew that she was pregnant, she said she did not and the baby came as a huge surprise.
“After the birth she told us that she would name the child Cherise, after the brand of towels she had purchased from us,” he said.
Mother and child were taken to the local clinic for a medical check-up before being taken home.
Lowvelder contacted Khoza who confirmed that the baby was doing well. Mr Freek Schnetler, manager of Blue Haze Mall, confirmed that a baby was born at Sheet Street and that they had received all possible assistance from centre management.
