An 18-year-old girl is contemplating her future with a mixture of exhilaration and anxiety after giving birth to triplets at the Mankweng Hospital on Monday (15th).
The young mother, Rothembani Moshapo, is a Grade 12 pupil at Songozwi Secondary School at Madodonga village in the Kutama area. She said she had been shocked when the doctor had told her she was about to deliver not one but three bundles of joy. "I was so scared when the doctor told me I was pregnant with triplets. Twins are unexpected, but triplets are something else." The triplets (three girls) were named Ndiwabo, Ndiwanga and Ndiwashu.
"I've had time to get used to it and thank God for this gift. They are my first babies and I'm happy that they are healthy. I also want to thank the doctor and midwives for the support during my children's birth. Still, I don't know how I'm going to be able to take care of all of them," she said.
To Rothembani, the fact that they only have child support grants to rely on is problematic. "My boyfriend is very supportive, but he relies on piece jobs for a living. How can we buy clothes and formula for three babies on these meagre grants? I don't want to be a burden to my family by bringing in more kids to add to the problems they already have. I realise that we are going to need help from outside, so that I can look after my children properly," she said.
Rothembani is optimistic that she will complete her matric, so that she can further her studies. "I will decide what to study after I have completed my matric, but I am certain I will be able to build a future for my children."
The communications officer of the Department of Social Development, Ms Adel van der Linde, said she would send social workers to the young mother to see what assistance they could give her.