Surge in teenage pregnancies in the Western Cape raises concerns
With alarming statistics revealing a surge in teenage pregnancies, the Western Cape faces a pressing challenge that demands immediate action.
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Teenage pregnancies are rising in the Western Cape, with the WCED encouraging learners to return to school and finish their National Senior Certificate.
A year ago, the Western Cape Health and Wellness data showed a shocking rise in adolescent deliveries (ages 11-19) by 26.66% over three financial years, with children as young as 11 in maternity wards.
In 2025, 22,097 women accessed City Health for basic antenatal care, including 1,230 teenagers under 18, representing a 1.2% increase. City Health noted this ongoing trend and offers Adolescent and Youth-Friendly services, including free contraception, to sexually active teenagers.
In communities like Cloetesville in Stellenbosch, teenage pregnancy has become common. In one road, two school girls find themselves pregnant. “We have two girls who are pregnant and they are between the ages of 16 and 17,” said a community activist who asked not to be identified due to sensitivity.
"The learners are continuing their schooling despite being pregnant."
Kerry Mauchline, spokesperson for the WCED, shared the latest data available, showcasing that between 2017 and 2023/2024, the numbers have ranged between 1,600 and 2,200. She said access to 2025 data would be released soon upon their request and provided their latest data:
Learners pregnant in 2017 (2018 ASS)2 208, in 2018 (2019 ASS)2 159,in 2019 (2020 ASS)2 283, in 2020 (2021 ASS Annual School Survey)1 828, in 2021 (2022 ASS)1 754, in 2022 (2023 ASS)1 602, in 2023 (2024 ASS)2 056
She added that figures are likely understated during the Covid-19 period (2020-2022) due to learners being at home.
“The WCED encourages learners to return to school and finish their National Senior Certificate. Pregnant learners in need of support are referred directly from the school to the district social workers, she said.
The department explained that to ensure educational support and accommodation, working with the school to prevent discrimination. This includes educational planning to manage schoolwork with childcare, such as flexible schedules or online options, and developing reintegration plans and workshops (parenting skills, child development) for their transition back to school.
The City of Cape Town’s facilities for basic antenatal care revealed that in 2025, 22,097 women accessed City Health facilities for basic antenatal care - 1,230 were teenagers under 18, which is a 1.2% increase from the previous year.
As Pregnancy Awareness Week is observed, City Health emphasises that care and advice are available to all, noting a multi-year trend of rising teenage pregnancies, which carry higher medical and socioeconomic risks.
City Health facilities offer Adolescent and Youth-Friendly services, including various free contraceptive options and discussions with healthcare professionals it said.
Mayco Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham said City Health facilities offer Adolescent and Youth-Friendly services to encourage teenagers who are sexually active to access contraceptive services.
A year ago, the Western Cape Health and Wellness data showed a shocking rise in adolescent deliveries (ages 11-19) by 26.66% over three financial years, with children as young as 11 in maternity wards.
At the time, it said data showed that deliveries for women/children between the ages of 11 and 19 years old had reached 8,114 for 2022/2023, 9,938 for 2023/2024, 10,277 for 2024/2025.
Last year, the WCED reported a decline in learner pregnancies over the past five to six years, with improved retention rates, with the numbers often being underreported, and while teen pregnancy is a factor in school dropout, other reasons like relocation, further study, and societal issues complicate dropout statistics.
In December, Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Andries Nel revealed at an Indaba that in 2024/25, 117,195 girls aged 10-19 gave birth, with over 1,400 being 10-14 years old.
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