Final figures: 132 babies born across the Western Cape on New Year’s Day

New Year’s Day was filled with joy across the Western Cape as 132 babies were safely delivered in public health facilities, giving families a hopeful and heart-warming start to 2026.

Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness said a total of 66 boys and 66 girls were born on the New Year, January 1.

The first baby of the year, a baby boy, was born at Mowbray Maternity Hospital exactly at midnight, weighing 3.8kg, to mother Geneva Claasen. Just three minutes later, another baby boy was born at Paarl Hospital, weighing 3.5kg. The third New Year’s baby was a girl born at Stellenbosch Hospital at 1:38am, weighing 3.2kg.

By 1.30pm on New Year’s Day, 28 newborns had been recorded in public health facilities across the province.

The department encouraged parents to make use of local clinics to support their babies’ early development, adding that the first 1 000 days of a child’s life are critical for long-term health and overall well-being. Clinic visits provide access to essential services such as immunisations, health education, and routine health checks.

Western Cape MEC for Health and Wellness, Mireille Wenger, reminded parents about the importance of investing in early childhood care.

“As we step into a new year, we celebrate the first precious lives born in 2026. We are reminded that the earliest moments of life shape everything that follows. Our focus is on giving every child a strong and healthy start through quality care, support and skilled healthcare teams,” she said.

The department congratulated all parents and caregivers on the safe delivery of their babies and expressed appreciation to healthcare workers, particularly midwives, who worked through the public holiday to ensure quality care.