Teen mother shares her story to address the rising rates of teenage pregnancies in KwaZulu-Natal

In a heartfelt event aimed at addressing the alarming rates of teenage pregnancies, a young mother broke down in tears as she recounted her journey of becoming pregnant at the tender age of 14. 

Her poignant story, shared at the unveiling of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Multi-Sectoral Strategy to Curb Child and Teenage Pregnancies 2025-2029 at Nkosibomvu Secondary School in oThongathi on Tuesday, struck a chord with many in attendance, including eThekwini Municipality Deputy Mayor Zandile Myeni, Community Services Committee chairperson Zama Sokhabase and pupils.

Nkosibomvu Secondary School principal Sifiso Cebekhulu said that with 1,400 girls and 1,270 boys at the school, they are at risk and need urgent help. 

He noted that many mothers are former pupils and are still very young. Whenever cases come to the fore, the parents disappear. 

“Some of them do not come forward because they themselves were students here. So that’s the scenario. The parent with a pregnant child was a student here, and she was also pregnant while in school. So when something like this happens, she becomes shy,” Cebekhulu said. 

He said the pupils also do not disclose if they become pregnant. Other times, the teachers find out. 

“The support we get from parents is very minimal. Not having this information prevents the child from getting the necessary help at the clinic,” Cebekhulu said. 

“We also need the services of learner support agents. At the moment, we don’t have one. But we are pleased to note that the previous learner support agent was able to highlight the challenges that our school has, and obviously, this gathering here is a result of that report.” 

Cebekhulu also asked for more sports activities and sports fields that should be taken care of. He said such facilities are needed, especially after school, so children have activities to engage in after school, preventing them from finding themselves in compromising situations. 

The teen mom pupil said she wanted to talk about teenage pregnancy. 

“I am one of the people who got pregnant while young. I fell pregnant at 14 and gave birth at 15. My child is now aged 2,” she said. 

She said she faces many difficulties. 

“There are no nappies. I’m stressed. There is no child’s father,” she said, crying. 

She implored her peers to use contraceptives. 

Addressing the boys, she asked them to behave and said they were disturbing the girls. 

“My mother doesn’t work. My family is poor, and I brought an extra person,” she said. 

Londeka Cele from Girls Act by AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) said she became pregnant at 21 but wanted to share the challenges of being a young parent. 

“I’m 22, and I had a child last year when I was 21,” Cele said. 

She warned pupils about the challenges one faces as a young parent. She said having a child at 21 did not mean she was better just because she was older. She was still pregnant at home. 

“Some challenges are jobs. I do not work. I finished school years ago. I was still going to find my way. A child looks to me. Parents distance themselves, and they say ‘That is your child’,” Cele said. 

She said when her baby was born, she never slept. She would look to the child’s father, but he would be busy elsewhere with work. 

“I was lucky because he (child’s father) is still around today. But you don’t know what your child’s father will do. You don’t know what will happen,” Cele said. 

“When your parents distance themselves, you have to deal with everything related to the child. Nappies are expensive. If the child gets sick, you need money.” 

Cele said the child’s father could disappear after learning you are pregnant. 

“Nothing is as difficult as that, and I don’t wish that for you,” Cele said to the pupils present. 

She said condoms are free at clinics, and they protect against sexually transmitted infections like HIV and AIDS. She also said many other contraceptives can be used. 

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