By Emily Setona
QWAQWA – Two young mothers at Elizabeth Ross Hospital welcomed their New Year babies with joy and gratitude, describing how a surprise visit and gift hampers from Maluti-a-Phofung Executive Mayor Malekula Melato made the moment deeply special.
Nineteen-year-old Naledi Moloi and 23-year-old Rethabile Mofokeng were among the first mothers in Maluti-a-Phofung to give birth in 2026, an experience they say was made even more memorable by an unexpected show of care and recognition.
Moloi gave birth to a baby girl, Buhlebomvelo Moloi, while Mofokeng welcomed a baby boy named Atlehang Mofokeng at Elizabeth Ross Hospital on 1 January. Both mothers received gift hampers from Maluti-a-Phofung Executive Mayor Malekula Melato as part of New Year outreach to hospitals in the municipality.
Speaking to The Guard, the young mothers shared similar sentiments, expressing happiness and appreciation for the gesture. They said meeting the mayor was an honour they never expected.
“Not everyone gets the opportunity to meet the mayor,” they said, adding that receiving gifts for their newborn babies made them feel recognized and valued during a life-changing moment.
Mofokeng said the support came at the right time.
“I feel very happy and grateful because the gift hamper has things that I needed,” she said.
Mayor Melato said the visit formed part of the festive season spirit of giving and was intended to usher in 2026 as a year of victory for the community.
She visited Manapo Hospital, Elizabeth Ross Hospital and Thebe Hospital in Harrismith, distributing gifts to mothers whose babies were born on New Year’s Day and treats to children in the pediatric ward.
“I’m sure the mothers are also happy to welcome their newborns and to receive much-needed support,” Melato said.
According to official reports shared by sister Mahadi Mokoena at Elizabeth Ross Hospital, three babies were born at Elizabeth Ross Hospital, two at Manapo Hospital.
While only one birth so far at Thebe Hospital on 1 January, bringing the total number of recorded New Year’s Day births in Maluti-a-Phofung hospitals to six, with more expected in maternity wards.
