Born in Soweto

You sense an overwhelming feeling of anticipation as you pass the rooms in the maternity ward. Tumi Gaoaketse’s excitement is contagious as she leads us to her baby’s bed. Onthatile was born on December 6 at the hospital in Dobsonville, Soweto. His mother describes him as a gift from God; the baby boy she gave birth to a year ago died shortly after he was born.

Tumi and dad Jacky are enthusiastic about their child’s future. ‘We want to give our son everything he needs. Onthatile will attend a private school and one day he will attend university,” says Tumi.

Tumi and Jacky are determined that education will be a key aspect of their child’s future. Tumi is a consultant for Standard Bank in Killarney and Jacky works for Planning and Development Collaborative International (Padco) in Dobsonville.

‘Education is very important to us — and of course he must play soccer,” says Jacky, with a smile. But Tumi disagrees: ‘I think he should play golf. Intelligent people play golf.”

While some revel in their newfound parenthood, others are still waiting for the additions to their families to arrive.

Vuyisile Siwundla from Dlamini, Soweto, will give birth in February next year. Her face brightens as she speaks of becoming a parent. She is looking forward to it. ‘I’m excited and scared at the same time.”

Siwundla, who works as a call centre agent, says her parents will look after her child and her boyfriend will help out. She has not planned anything for the baby’s future yet and does not know the sex of her child. ‘I want it to be a surprise and the name of the child will be Karabo or Nkululeko.”

‘We were really surprised when I found out I was pregnant because my former fiancé was told he could never have children,” says mom-to-be Thandi Mosweu. Even though she and her fiancé split up, she regards her pregnancy as a miracle.

‘I am going to raise the baby with the help of my mother. The father is not going to be involved.

‘Sometimes I feel really excited about the pregnancy and sometimes I feel angry and sad. But, despite my uncertainty, I am going to make sure this baby has all the opportunities he or she needs. He or she must have an education. I am going to start putting away money for university as soon as possible.”

Motshidisi Tlhodi (24) and Neth’anel Tale (26) are Botlhale Tale’s parents. This young married couple say they did not plan to have a child, but her birth is something they welcome. ‘We had to become financially responsible and more mature spiritually once we realised we were having a child. We have started investing finances for her future so she can get the best possible education, quality education,” says Tlhodi.

She is a production manager for an animation company and Tale works in a laboratory that deals with baby formula. They want their daughter to be whatever she wants to be; they do not want to choose for her or dream for her. ‘We just want her to be a good person and the best person she can be,” says Tlhodi.