London, Jan. 2, 2021 (AltAfrica)-Over 100 babies were born in South Africa on the first day of 2021 . The baby boom wipe away the gloom of tight restrictions imposed by the country few day to the new year over rising coronavirus epidemic

While the headlines might be about the 418 souls lost to covid pandemic that day, the country also welcomed more than a 100 babies on the first day of 2021

READ ALSO: IN SOUTH AFRICA, 418 DIE OF COVID ON NEW YEAR’S DAY, WITH 16,726 INFECTION

Hospitals in Mpumalanga recorded the highest recorded 69 babies – 37 boys and 32 girls.

The first baby was born at Themba Hospital just after midnight.

Health MEC Sasekani Manzini says: “Ehlanzeni had the highest number of 38 babies, which is 20 females and 18 males; followed by Nkangala with 16 babies – 7 females, and 9 males; Gert Sibande had 15 babies – 5 females and 10 males. The first baby was delivered in Themba Hospital, which is in the Mbombela Local Municipality”

KwaZulu-Natal has welcomed at least 47 New Year’s babies; 22 are boys and 25 girls. Among the happy mothers is Hlengiwe Nkosi who gave birth to a baby boy in  oPhongolo and Slindile Mkhize who gave birth to twin girls – Siyamuthanda and Lethukuthula in Ulundi.  

Head of the Provincial Health Department, Dr Sandile Shabalala, has encouraged mothers to breastfeed. 

“We also want to state that it is important that when new-borns come to life they be taken care of and all possible respects among these is that they be breastfed at least for the first six months, for the first 12 months. 

This creates a better immune system for them but also improves the bond between the mother and the child.”

The Northern Cape Health Department has recorded 26 new year babies across the province.

Several more are expected to be born later today.

The 26 babies include 12 girls and 14 boys.

Health MEC Maruping Lekwene says the first baby was born just a second after midnight at Galeshewe Day Hospital.