Shereen Leyane gave birth to her son next to the road on Tuesday, May 26, after an ambulance failed to reach her on time. Leyane had started experiencing pain on Monday evening, May 25, around 20:00 at her home near Rocky Drift. She and the baby’s father, Clement Ngweyama, agreed that there was still ample time before the baby’s birth and decided to rather go to the hospital the following day.

The next morning, Leyane’s contractions had worsened and she decided to call an ambulance, since Ngweyama is visually impaired and unable to drive. While she was waiting for the ambulance, the time between contractions narrowed and Leyane decided it would be best to walk and find a taxi. She was on Vergenoeg Road when the pain became unbearable and she decided to sit down. It was then that she realised she was bleeding.

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“Almost instantly, I felt the sudden urge to push and I knew that my baby was coming,” Leyane said.

Fortunately for her, she was across from a shopping centre and employees were able to assist her. The employees, as well as the centre owner, asked to remain anonymous. With the help of the Good Samaritans, Leyane gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Employees assisted Leyane and her baby while they waited for emergency medical services.

When the ambulance finally arrived, Leyane, Clement and their newborn were transported to Rob Ferreira Hospital, where she was monitored overnight. Fortunately, there were no alarming health concerns. “I am very grateful that he was born healthy and that neither of us experienced any problems”, Leyane said.

The owner of the centre said that the ordeal highlights the problems in South Africa’s public health system, and that the incident could have had an unhappy ending. On Friday, May 29, the centre held a party for Leyane and Ngweyama to celebrate the birth.

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