State to help raise quints
Miracle babies
Gauteng social development MEC Nandi Mayathula-Khoza says social workers will offer the Buthelezi family emotional support as they come to terms with caring for five babies.
On Sunday, Mayathula-Khoza visited the Clinix Botshelong-Empilweni Private Hospital in Vosloorus‚ Ekurhuleni, where the Buthelezi quintuplets were born on September 6.
The MEC said to the parents, Prudence Ndlangisa and Joe Buthelezi: “OK‚ there would be this little business of five times lack of sleep‚ scarce indulgences‚ and lots of offsick days.
“A little word of encouragement‚ we know that the road ahead is not a bed of roses. When couples first find out they are expecting twins‚ or higher-order multiples like you‚ the initial feelings can be overwhelming. Concerns about how you will manage‚ money worries‚ and general anxiety over housing and space can flood the mind.”
Mayathula-Khoza said the Gauteng government has assigned social workers to assist the family. “This we do because we know that it can help to know that you are not alone and that there is a shoulder you can cry on as you experience the rollercoaster of emotions that comes with higher-order multiples.”
She said Ekurhuleni is home to three sets of quintuplets, noting that she hopes to bring them together one day.
“These children‚ the four girls and a boy‚ have placed Ekurhuleni and indeed Gauteng on the world map. They join a tiny elite club of South Africa’s quintuplets. Ekurhuleni is home to three sets and no other province has attained that feat. So‚ Siyanda‚ Sibahle‚ Simesihle‚ Silindile and Sindisiwe are our historic children and we are proud that they call Gauteng home.
She continued: “We think it may even be ideal to bring our Ekurhuleni ‘quints’ families together at some point to enhance the quality of life of the children and families.
“Benefits include general friendship and shared communication about what it means to be a multiple-birth parent. There is also an opportunity to share what worked for you.”
The Buthelezi quintuplets each weighed more than a kilogram at birth. They are expected to be released from hospital once they weigh 2kg.