A KwaDumisa Village mother of triplets is counting her lucky stars following the premature birth of her three boys who have now become the pride of GJ Crookes Hospital and the Ndlovu family following a fruitful visit from the MEC of Health, Nomagugu Simelane.
For two-week-old Aphile, Asiphile, Asibonge and their mother, 39-year-old Malitha Ndlovu, the opening of the GJ Crookes maternity ward marked a great start in life for the triplets. Born at just eight months on 25 August, weighing 1.86kg, 1.2kg, and 1.71kg, Ndlovu’s sons have become her lucky charms after being showered with gifts from the MEC and a promise to build the family a decent home. “I was confused at first, when the doctor told me while I was delivering that I was going to have two babies. I asked her whether she was serious, and she said yes. When they found the third baby, I was somewhat sad because I was really not expecting to have so many babies,” Ndlovu said. After the successful birth of her children, Ndlovu and Mlungisi Mzizi, the father of the three boys, said their aim is to now improve their lives, to better raise their children. As both are currently unemployed, Ndlovu said she would be registering the triplets so that they can receive a child support grant, like her other two children.
Equally astonished by the triple surprise and the plight of the family, Simelane, who was accompanied by Ugu District Mayor, Councillor Sizwe Ngcobo, Umdoni Mayor, Councillor Sibongile Khathi and MP Fikile Masiko during the visit, said she was deeply moved when she heard about the unemployed mother’s situation. “We have agreed that we are going to assist her. And that assistance will be coming from Mayor Ngcobo from the District, and Mayor Khathi from the local municipality. I must say that we really appreciate the commitment that they have made, so that the family will be assisted.” Simelane also brought gifts including nappies, a bathtub and blankets for the babies. “It’s a very joyous situation when you’re expecting a baby. It’s also joyous when you get three babies, because it means you’re blessed three-fold. But it also has serious financial implications, and we have to come in to assist. We want to say to the Ndlovu family, ‘Congratulations with your healthy babies’ but to also say to the team that delivered those babies, ‘Well done’. Especially because they were not aware that she was going to be delivering triplets. They did very well under immense pressure. All three babies are very healthy, and we truly appreciate the work that has been done,” said Simelane. Following her good deed, the MEC went on to officially open the hospital’s newly-renovated 35-bed maternity ward, which is currently being used for isolation; as well as a separate, purpose-built 49-bed isolation ward.
