BY MFANUFIKILE KHATHWANE
MBABANE- Christmas Day brought more than festive cheer to Eswatini families as 59 babies were welcomed across the nation’s health facilities on Thursday, December 25, 2025, with males slightly outnumbering females, putting smiles on countless parents’ and relatives’ faces.
According to reports from various hospitals and health centres, between 00:00 and 24:00hrs, 31 boys and 28 girls entered the world, proving that the holiday was truly one of new beginnings, joyful arrivals, and special celebrations for both mothers and their little ones.
Mbabane Government Hospital reported a total of 11 births, comprising 4 boys and 7 girls, while Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital saw 14 babies, evenly split with 7 boys and 7 girls. Hlathikhulu and Mankayane Government Hospitals each welcomed 4 babies, with Hlathikhulu recording 2 boys and 2 girls, and Mankayane 1 boy and 3 girls.
Good Shepherd Hospital led the festive deliveries with 15 babies, including 6 boys and 9 girls, while Piggs Peak Government Hospital reported 7 births, 3 boys and 4 girls. Smaller health centres also contributed, with Nhlangano, Sithobela, and Matsanjeni Health Centres each reporting 1 boy, and Dvokolwako Health Centre welcoming 4 babies, comprising 1 boy and 3 girls. TLC Hospital recorded 1 boy, whereas Mkhuzweni Health Centre, St Theresa Clinic, Zondwako Clinic, and private hospitals reported no births on the day.
The festive joy extended beyond the delivery rooms. Christmas gifts, valued at over E80 000, were distributed to the new mothers and their babies. The gifts 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 packages included 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.
Christmas Day stories added personal warmth to the statistics. At Piggs Peak Hospital, Sphiwe Dlamini welcomed a healthy baby girl named Faith Masilela, while Delisile Masilela gave birth to a baby boy, Uminathi Sihlongonyane. Both mothers and babies are reported to be doing well. At Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital, two babies arrived by 11 am, including baby girl Asanele Emalangeni Dlamini, delighting her family with two boys and two girls in perfect balance. Another boy’s name remains a festive secret, adding a little mystery to the morning celebrations.
Christmas Day birth trends show fluctuations over the years. In 2021, 108 babies were born nationwide, followed by 65 in 2022, and 75 in 2023, including 38 girls and 37 boys. By midday in 2024, over 20 babies had already arrived, led by Mbabane Government Hospital, RFM, and Good Shepherd Hospitals. This year’s total of 59 babies, with males slightly outnumbering females, proves that Christmas continues to be a day of joy, life, and special care for Eswatini families.
Mothers often choose meaningful names reflecting faith, hope, and gratitude, giving the national statistics a human touch. With gifts, laughter, and the arrival of new life, the 59 Christmas babies are a heartwarming reminder of love, renewal, and festive spirit across the country.
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