BY MFANUFIKILE KHATHWANE
MBABANE- Teenage pregnancy has reached a worrying 14 percent at Mbabane Government Hospital, with health workers raising alarm over a growing number of expectant mothers as young as 14 years old.
The concern was revealed by Lindiwe Shongwe, a senior midwife who has served at the hospital for over 15 years, as she highlighted challenges faced by the maternity department during a Christmas outreach event held on Thursday, December 25, 2025.
She noted with deep concern that pregnancies among 14-year-olds are steadily increasing, gradually replacing what was previously common among 18-year-olds. She stressed that this trend poses serious risks, as girls of that age are still developing both physically and psychologically.
“These are still children who are supposed to be growing, learning and being protected. Instead, they are now becoming mothers,” she said.
Despite the challenges, Shongwe acknowledged moments of encouragement, saying the presence of families and friends bringing gifts to new mothers reflected joy, acceptance and support for the newborns.
“It is heart-warming to see relatives coming to celebrate. It shows the babies were awaited and welcomed into loving families,” she added.
Her remarks came as Christmas joy filled the Mbabane Government Hospital Maternity Ward, where Minister of Health Mduduzi Matsebula, dressed in festive attire, personally welcomed newborn babies and distributed Christmas gifts to mothers and their infants.
The gifts, valued at over E80 000, were made possible through donations from Her Majesty the Indlovukazi, FNB Eswatini through its Employee Volunteers Programme, and Pick n Pay Lojarf’s.
The donation includeincludeed baby growers for 0–3 months and 3–6 months, receiving blankets, and jumbo packs of disposable nappies items carefully selected to ease the burden on new mothers during the festive season.
Grateful mothers expressed heartfelt appreciation for the gesture. Bonisile Mabuza, mother to baby boy Yamihle Mashaya, said the gifts came at the right time. “These gifts help us so much, especially during Christmas when expenses are high,” she said.
Another mother, Happiness Simelane, who welcomed baby Fezile Mlontjwa, described the day as unforgettable. “I am very grateful. This is a Christmas I will never forget,” she said with a smile.
While the celebrations brought cheer and relief to many families, health workers emphasized that the rising teenage pregnancy rate remains a serious social and health challenge. They called for strengthened community awareness, parental guidance, and youth-focused reproductive health education to curb teenage pregnancies and safeguard the wellbeing and future of young girls.
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