Eswatini ushered in the New Year with scenes of joy and celebration in maternity wards across the country, as several babies were born in the early hours of 1 January 2026, marking a hopeful start to the year.
At Mbabane Government Hospital, hospital officials confirmed a surge of new life shortly after midnight. Since the clock struck 12:00 a.m., the hospital recorded the delivery of nine babies, reflecting a busy and joyful beginning to the year. Of the newborns, seven are girls and two are boys, a moment staff described as uplifting for both families and healthcare workers welcoming the first children of 2026.
Meanwhile, celebrations continued in the Lubombo region at Good Shepherd Hospital in Siteki, where the first babies of the New Year were also born. The maternity and children’s wards were visited by Mduduzi Matesebula, who toured the facility to officially welcome the newborns and extend New Year wishes to mothers, families, and medical staff.
Hospital management at both facilities described the births as a positive sign for the year ahead, symbolising new beginnings and renewed hope for families across the country. Nurses and midwives on duty during the New Year transition said the atmosphere in the wards was filled with excitement, gratitude, and celebration.
As 2026 begins, the arrival of these New Year babies has brought smiles to hospital corridors and homes alike, setting a hopeful tone for the year ahead in Eswatini.
