By Phesheya Ian Kunene
MBABANE – Mothers who received gifts on New Year’s Day have expressed heartfelt gratitude to Her Majesty the Queen Mother for her thoughtful gesture in celebrating the arrival of their newborns.
The gift presentation, carried out at Hlatikhulu Government Hospital and Nhlangano Health Centre, left the mothers feeling appreciated and cared for during this special moment. The Minister for Health, Mduduzi Matsebula, presented the gifts on behalf of the Queen Mother to all mothers in the maternity wards, regardless of their babies’ actual birth dates. The packages included baby blankets, mother-and-child Crocs, and essential baby supplies.
Minister Matsebula explained that the initiative was a way for Her Majesty to celebrate the miracle of life and show appreciation to families. He added that the Queen Mother hoped the gifts would make the mothers feel supported as they embarked on their journey into motherhood.
One mother at Hlatikhulu Government Hospital shared that receiving the gifts made her feel valued and cared for, adding that it was a moment she would cherish forever.
By 2 PM on New Year’s Day, 38 babies—20 girls and 18 boys—had been born across the country’s health facilities. Mbabane Government Hospital recorded the highest number of births, with eight newborns, followed by Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital with seven. Other facilities reporting births included Mankayane Government Hospital, Good Shepherd Hospital, Pigg’s Peak Government Hospital, Nhlangano Health Centre, Matsanjeni, and St. Theresa’s Clinic.
Zanele Dlamini-Manana, who gave birth to her son Khulisuthando Manana at Manzini Clinic at 9:58 AM, described the gifts as a meaningful token of love that made her special day even more memorable.
Despite the joy, many health facilities in the country face ongoing challenges. Hlatikhulu Government Hospital operates with a highly dedicated staff and a 98% patient care rating but grapples with infrastructural issues, such as a non-functional renal unit. Similarly, Nhlangano Health Centre struggles with limited space and an increasing number of referrals for complicated births.
Nonetheless, the gifts brought comfort and joy to the mothers. One recipient at Nhlangano Health Centre said the Queen Mother’s gesture demonstrated that the nation’s leaders cared for them and their children.
The mothers expressed their appreciation for the effort and thoughtfulness behind the initiative. One described the gifts as a sign of love and compassion, noting that it was encouraging to know their needs were being considered.
Minister Matsebula emphasized that the initiative aimed to bring warmth and joy to families as they embraced the miracle of new life. He added that it was a simple but powerful way to remind mothers they are not alone in their journey.
As the mothers returned home, they carried not only their newborns but also a renewed sense of hope and gratitude, thanks to the Queen Mother’s heartfelt gifts.
(Featured Image: Eswatini Observer)
