Bloemfontein – The Free State Department of Health is thrilled to announce the arrival of infants born on Christmas Day.

“We are delighted to share that 24 babies were born at health facilities across the Free State by 08:00 on Christmas morning,” said Elke de Witt, the acting spokesperson for the Free State Department of Health.

“Christmas Day babies have a special place in our holiday celebrations.”

De Witt noted that the maternity wards throughout the Free State reported nine girls and 15 boys born between 00:01 and 08:00 today.

The first baby born in Free State public hospitals on Christmas morning arrived at the National District Hospital in Bloemfontein at 00:15.

“Palesa Khatsi from Bloemfontein welcomed her son, Thandolwethu Kosana, weighing 2.64 kg, and both mother and child are doing well,” remarked De Witt.

The second birth occurred at 00:30 at Dihlabeng Regional Hospital in Bethlehem.

Thembisile Ndaba from Senekal is shown receiving her daughter, who weighed 1.890 kg, from professional nurse Mathebula Letlotlo at Dihlabeng Regional Hospital’s maternity ward after being born at 00:30. Baby Ndaba is the second newborn of the day in the Free State.

Thembisile Ndaba from Senekal welcomed a daughter who weighed 1.890 kg.

The third Christmas Day baby is Seretsi from Welkom. Mpho Seretsi from Welkom gave birth to her daughter, weighing 2.67 kg, at 00:33 at Bongani Regional Hospital, with Nursing Sister Pulane Mocwana extending her congratulations.

Mpho Seretsi from Welkom celebrated the birth of her daughter at 00:33, with the baby weighing 2.67 kg at Bongani Regional Hospital, making her the third newborn of the day.

“We expect the number of births to increase as the day goes on,” De Witt added.