Speaking during her annual New Year’s Day visit to Shongwe Hospital in Nkomazi to welcome the first babies of 2026, the MEC for health, Sasekani Manzini, expressed deep concern that the province continues to see a spike in deliveries by minors.

While the new year is typically a time of celebration, the statistics shared by the Department of Health highlight a sobering reality for the youth of Mpumalanga.

In 2025, Mpumalanga recorded 9 754 deliveries by teenagers, several aged between 14 and 16 years old.

Nationally, more than 130 teenagers gave birth on Christmas Day alone, an increase from the previous year.

Manzini highlighted that these figures are not just health statistics, but indicators of deeper social failures, noting that many of these pregnancies are the result of older men taking advantage of young girls.

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She said authorities are taking legal action to address the root causes of childhood pregnancy, particularly in cases involving statutory rape.

“This is very disturbing. We cannot win this war alone. The causes stem from alcohol consumption, statutory rape, and older men – often referred to as blessers – taking advantage of vulnerable girls,” she said.

Manzini said the Department of Health (DoH) will collaborate with law enforcement to ensure that cases involving minors are thoroughly investigated.

She added that the DoH will be partnering with the departments of social development and basic education to enable young mothers to stay in school.

She called on parents and traditional leaders to break the silence surrounding sexual abuse within communities.

The MEC emphasised that teenage pregnancy often leads to a cycle of poverty, with many young mothers forced to drop out of school. She urged parents to take an active role in the lives of their children and encouraged teenagers to utilize the youth-friendly services available at local clinics.

Reproductive health awareness campaigns to reduce the number of teenage pregnancies in the province.