eThekwini sounds alarm on teen pregnancies: Over 7,000 young girls pregnant in one year
The eThekwini Municipality has said there was 7,627 deliveries among girls aged 10 to 19 in the 2024/2025 financial year.
Image: File
Alarming new data from the eThekwini Municipality has revealed 7,627 deliveries among girls aged 10 to 19 in the 2024/2025 financial year, while more than 3,000 teenagers sought pregnancy termination services over the past five years.
Officials say the figures reflect a deepening crisis that is undermining the health, education, and future prospects of thousands of young people.
In response to these escalating concerns, eThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba launched the Child and Teenage Pregnancy Strategy at Nkosibomvu Secondary School in oThongathi, where he delivered an impassioned call for collective action.
The problem has also drawn the attention of the the provincial government. Last month, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli launched the Multisectoral Strategy to Curb Child and Teenage Pregnancies (2025–2029).
In his address, delivered by the deputy mayor, the mayor told learners that their school was deliberately chosen as the launch site, saying: “You are very fortunate here at Nkosibomvu that your school has been identified as the place where this programme will be launched. We hope that this will motivate you to be a good example to other learners.”
Mayor Xaba said the rising levels of teenage pregnancy represent “a serious threat to the wellbeing, potential, and future of our young people.”
He cautioned that teenage pregnancy is closely linked to increased HIV risk. “Teenage pregnancy is not only a social challenge, but also a significant public health concern,” he said. “Its prevalence indicates that many young people are engaging in unprotected sexual activity, placing them at heightened risk of contracting HIV.”
KwaZulu-Natal remains the epicentre of the country’s HIV epidemic, with adolescent girls and young women accounting for 35% of all new HIV infections.
Xaba said the rising number of pregnancies among girls aged 10 to 19 has become a key driver of school dropout rates and exposes young mothers and their babies to severe health complications.
The mayor described the situation as urgent, stating: “These numbers are a call to action.”
He said the newly launched initiative aims to empower young people, both girls and boys by providing knowledge, confidence, and access to safe, supportive services.
A major component of the strategy is strengthening and promoting Adolescent and Youth Friendly Services across 40 health facilities in the municipality.
“We must intensify educational campaigns that inform young people about these services, as well as about HIV, AIDS, and the consequences of child and teenage pregnancy,”Xaba said.
The programme will also roll out an aggressive awareness campaign focusing on sexual and reproductive health and discouraging drug and alcohol abuse, which the mayor said contribute significantly to risky behaviour.
The campaign will extend to schools, universities, and TVET colleges to ensure it reaches young people across all educational levels.
The mayor reaffirmed the City’s commitment to safeguarding young people’s futures. “By supporting this initiative, we invest not only in the health and wellbeing of our young people, but also in the strength and prosperity of our communities,” he said.
“Let us walk this journey together, united, determined, and unwavering in our mission to protect, empower, and uplift the next generation.”