Celebrating new beginnings: Tygerberg Hospital welcomes seven New Year’s babies
Thandokazi Miqi celebrates the arrival of their son, Olumiyo.
Image: Ayanda Ndamane/ Independent Media
As the clock struck three on the morning of January 1, 2026, a new light dawned for Thandokazi Miqi and her family from Wallacedene in Kraaifontein, Western Cape.
Their joy was palpable as they welcomed their baby boy, Olumiyo Miqi, the first New Year’s baby to be born at Tygerberg Hospital this year.
Olumiyo is the third child for the 36-year-old mother, who described the moment as overwhelmingly special, embodying hope and new beginnings.
Tygerberg Hospital has recorded seven births so far.
Meanwhile, in Gauteng, health and wellness were front and centre as the provincial MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, is expected to join postpartum mothers in welcoming their newly born bundles of joy at the Leratong Hospital in the West Rand.
During the New Year’s day ceremony, mothers will be presented with gift hampers for their babies.
“Additionally, the MEC will use the opportunity to engage parents about the importance of registering their babies immediately after birth at the Department of Home Affairs.
“Furthermore, the MEC will also emphasise the significance of timely immunisation and breastfeeding to promote babies’ development and protect them from preventable diseases,” said the Gauteng Department of Health.
*This is a developing story.
IOL