Over 26,000 KwaZulu-Natal Teens Got Pregnant in 2024
- The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government revealed startling statistics about teenage pregnancy in the province
- It revealed that more than 25,000 teenagers became pregnant, and some of them were younger than 14
- KZN Premier Thami Ntuli said that a multifaceted approach, including law enforcement agencies, was needed to tackle the teenage pregnancy
Tebogo Mokwena, Briefly News’ Deputy Head of Current Affairs, contributed coverage of international and local social issues, including health, corruption, education, unemployment, labour, service delivery protests, and immigration in South Africa, during his seven years at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News.
Source: Facebook
KWAZULU-NATAL — KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli called on the law enforcement in the province to act against older men impregnating young girls. This was after he unveiled the province's teenage pregnancy statistics.
According to Sunday World, Ntuli spoke on 28 October 2025 outside Port Shepstone at the official launch of the 2025-2029 Child and Teenage Pregnancy Strategy, at Ugu Sports and Leisure. He revealed that 26,515 teenagers became pregnant between April and December 2024. A total of 1,254 of the children were under the age of 14. He pointed out that law enforcement agencies in the province must apprehend older men who impregnate teenage girls.
Ntuli discusses teenage pregnancy
Ntuli also said that the provincial government must protect, empower, and support the youth with knowledge, services, and opportunities to curb unplanned pregnancies among teenagers. He also said that the government must be fearless in acting against perpetrators.
PAY ATTENTION: Briefly News is now on YouTube! Check out our interviews on Briefly TV Life now!
Ntuli also said that young girls who become pregnant risk HIV infections, which jeopardise their health, education, and potential. He noted that when a 12-year-old becomes a mother, it is the result of a collective failure.
Source: Facebook
number
Teenage pregnancy in South Africa
Between April 2024 and April 2025, 7,627 teenagers fell pregnant in Durban. Most of them were between the ages of 10 and 14. A high number of these children have had abortions and were victims of statutory rape.
Over 34,000 girls gave birth in the Eastern Cape between April 2023 and March 2024. Of this number, 2,716 were between the ages of 10 and 14. Gender-based activist Vanessa Govender spoke to Briefly News last year and blamed the criminal justice system.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) called for action and expressed alarm that teenage pregnancy in the country is on the rise. This was after one in four teenagers in South Africa fell pregnant, according to the World Health Organisation. The DA said those who commit sexual crimes against children must be given long jail sentences.
Teenagers give birth on New Year's Day
In a related article, Briefly News reported that South African public hospitals recorded 1,448 births on 1 January 2024. Over 80 girls gave birth on that day.
The number of births across the provinces decreased from 1,703 in the previous year. The youngest mother was a 12-year-old. Gauteng recorded the highest number of births, while the Eastern Cape and Limpopo had the second and third-highest birth records respectively.
Source: Briefly News
