Girl power: Look who's first in the WC

GEORGE NEWS - The first baby born in the Western Cape for 2025 was welcomed by staff of George Provincial Hospital this morning at seven minutes after midnight, on 1 January.

Named after her mother, Esmeralda Bordtjies, this little girl with a birth weight of 2,98kg has all the properties of a true gem.
Esmeralda is a feminine name of Spanish and Portuguese origin, that means "emerald".

In George, four babies were born on New Year's Day by 15:00 at George Hospital - in total three girls and a boy.

Bernadette Fredericks is the mother to a tiny baby girl, Shanicah, with a birth weight of 1,570kg.

She was born at 02:15 and will be staying in the high care unit for the next few weeks to gain more weight before she may go home.

This tiny baby is already drinking her mother's breast milk from a cup.

Bernadette Fredericks and her baby girl, Shanicah. Photo: Michelle Pienaar

Sinovuyo Kondile's baby girl, Iminathi, weighs a whopping 3,280kg and was born at 04:55. Asked about her plans for the new year, she said: "I want to sleep! I've been up all night; I am so tired."

Sinovuyo Kondile and her baby girl, Iminathi. Photo: Michelle Pienaar

Jennifer September's baby boy Raywen will also be spending a few weeks in the high care unit, with a birth weight of 1,045kg.

He was born at 10:40 this morning. Jennifer and her boyfriend are from Plettenberg Bay, which makes it difficult for her dear ones to give her the emotional support. She is very thankful for the help of the personnel at the hospital, saying all she now wants to do is take a well-deserved rest.

Esmeralda Bordtjies and her little girl, also named Esmeralda, on New Year's Day at George Hospital. Photo: Michelle Pienaar