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Johannesburg - More than 100 babies were born in Gauteng by Christmas afternoon, the provincial health department said on Thursday.
Spokesperson Prince Hamnca said a total of 108 babies were born in the province.
Mamelodi Hospital and Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital each delivered 14 babies, while Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital and Kalafong Hospital delivered 11 each.
In KwaZulu-Natal 65 babies were born at government hospitals, Health MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo said.
"We are delighted, of course, to welcome these new lives on Christmas Day, which is a very special day, as we all know."
He expressed concern that five of the mothers were teenagers.
"I did speak to them... If you are a 17 year-old, and you are delivering a child weighing 3.8kg, chances of delivering safely are slim.
"It actually places your own life and the baby's in danger, and it is something that all of us as society need to begin to talk about and discourage."
He said young people should be encouraged to abstain from sex, or practice safe sex at all times.
In Limpopo 53 babies were born.
The first baby, a girl, was delivered at Donald Frazer hospital, followed by a boy at Mankweng Hospital.
"These babies were all born healthy, their mothers are well and in high spirits," said spokesperson Macks Lesufi.
Statistics from the other six provinces were not immediately available.
