Seshego, Limpopo – The community of Seshego, outside Polokwane, is grappling with disbelief after a two-week-old baby girl was discovered abandoned on a drain in Extension 75 on Monday, July 28, 2025. Wrapped in a blue blanket with a bottle of milk placed beside her, the infant was found distressed but miraculously alive.
The incident has triggered widespread shock, anger, and concern about the growing challenges faced by vulnerable young mothers in South Africa. Residents who witnessed the discovery said the child appeared weak but otherwise healthy, sparking urgent calls for better social support systems.
Community Reactions: “This is heavy on us as women”
Speaking to reporters, resident Desree Sekgoloane expressed deep sadness at the situation, pointing out the realities many young women face.
“This is heavy because most women can relate,” Sekgoloane said. “Falling pregnant without support is stressful, and many girls are abandoned by their partners. The adoption process is also not easily accessible to us. In the end, women feel trapped and desperate.”
Another local, Mpho Letsoalo, called for stronger education on teenage pregnancy and family planning. “We need open conversations in families. Parents must talk to their children about sex, responsibility, and choices before it is too late,” Letsoalo said.
Their voices echo a broader concern about how communities and government can do more to prevent situations where young mothers feel they have no option but to abandon their newborns.
Police Action: Teen Mother Arrested
Confirming the incident, Captain Lesiba Ramoshaba, spokesperson for the Capricorn District Police, announced that a 16-year-old girl believed to be the mother was arrested on Wednesday, July 30. She faces charges of child abandonment.
The baby remains under medical observation at Seshego Hospital, where health workers say she is stable and recovering from the ordeal. Meanwhile, social workers are expected to intervene to determine the infant’s future care.
“This matter is under investigation,” Ramoshaba said. “We urge parents and guardians to seek help if they are unable to care for their children. Abandoning a baby in such conditions puts their life at risk and is a criminal offence.”
The Bigger Picture: A Crisis of Teenage Pregnancy
South Africa continues to record high rates of teenage pregnancy. According to the Department of Basic Education, thousands of learners fall pregnant every year, and many of them struggle to access proper healthcare, counseling, or social support.
In rural areas like Seshego, poverty, lack of access to contraceptives, and limited sex education exacerbate the problem. Communities are now demanding urgent government interventions, including accessible adoption services, safe homes for abandoned babies, and improved family planning programs.
“Teenagers are still children themselves,” one resident said. “We cannot just punish them without addressing why this keeps happening.”
Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness: Security Officer Position at Red Cross Children’s Hospital
While Limpopo reels from tragedy, news from the Western Cape brings attention to opportunities in public healthcare. The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness has announced a vacancy for a Security Officer at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital in Cape Town.
This permanent position underscores the importance of safety in one of South Africa’s most respected pediatric healthcare facilities.
About the Hospital and the Role
Red Cross Children’s Hospital is a flagship institution that specializes in treating young patients from across the country. Given its critical role in saving children’s lives, ensuring security is essential.
The appointed Security Officer will manage access control, monitor surveillance, and respond to incidents that could endanger patients, staff, or visitors. Responsibilities also include patrolling premises, assisting healthcare staff with violent or aggressive patients, and preventing security breaches.
This is more than just a security job — it is a vital role that supports the smooth running of a hospital where vulnerable children depend on uninterrupted care.
Minimum Requirements
To be considered, applicants must:
Hold a Grade 9 (General Education and Training Certificate) or equivalent qualification.
Be registered with PSIRA at Grade ‘C’ level in line with the Security Industry Regulation Act (Act 56 of 2001).
Have prior experience as a Security Officer, preferably within a healthcare or similar environment.
Be able to communicate in at least two of the Western Cape’s official languages (English, Afrikaans, isiXhosa).
Demonstrate knowledge of handling aggression, conflict resolution, and surveillance monitoring.
Candidates must also be willing to work shifts, weekends, and public holidays, and rotate between different hospital units.
Benefits and Career Growth
The role offers a competitive annual salary of R163,680 with benefits, including a 13th cheque, pension contributions, and medical aid allowances. Beyond financial rewards, the position provides career stability and the chance to contribute to a facility that has saved countless lives since its establishment.
The department emphasizes employment equity and encourages people with disabilities to apply.
Application Details
Reference Number: RXH58/2025
Closing Date: September 5, 2025
Enquiries: M. Michaels – Tel: (021) 658-5573
Application Method: Submit online through the Western Cape Government Jobs portal.
Applicants are warned not to pay anyone claiming to guarantee placement, as applications are free of charge. Shortlisted candidates will undergo assessments, background checks, and security clearances.
Two Stories, One Message: Protecting Children
The heartbreaking discovery in Seshego and the career opportunity at Red Cross Children’s Hospital may seem unrelated, but both underscore the same truth: society has a duty to protect its children.
Whether through supporting young mothers so that they do not feel forced into desperate decisions, or by safeguarding hospital environments where sick children receive care, South Africa must prioritize the safety and well-being of its youngest citizens.
The Seshego case has reminded the nation of the urgency of addressing teenage pregnancy, while the Red Cross vacancy reflects how institutions are working to strengthen child protection from another angle.
At the heart of both stories lies one message: children deserve care, protection, and a safe future — and it is up to families, communities, and government alike to ensure that no child is abandoned, overlooked, or left vulnerable.
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