A South African First: The Story of Mpho and Mphonyana Mathibela
On December 7, 1986, twin girls Mpho and Mphonyana Mathibela were born conjoined at the head at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, the first known case of craniopagus twins in South Africa. At the time, separation surgeries had a global survival rate of just 25% (Journal of Neurosurgery, 1990).
Against the odds and under apartheid-era medical constraints, a local team successfully separated them in 1988, a historic operation that challenged assumptions about the limits of African healthcare. The hospital would go on to become the largest in Africa, with over 3,000 beds by 1997.
Sadly, Mphonyana died from pneumonia in 1989. Mpho, though left with brain damage, lived until 2024 an outcome made more remarkable by a 2015 Pediatrics study showing only 20% of such twins reach adulthood without major neurological issues.
Their story remains a rare and powerful symbol of medical courage, innovation, and resilience in South Africa’s history.
@6uhle If you want peace in life: DON’T ATTACH YOURSELF TO PEOPLE THINGS, NO ONE OWES YOU ANYTHING!! IF YOU DIDN’T WORK HARD FOR IT , DON’T FIGHT FOR IT🙌🏽
How to survive dating with an anxious attachment style (aka how to stop bleeding out for the bare minimum and reclaim your nervous system in the age of breadcrumb love);
I’ve recently come to terms with the fact that I am NOT not an activity person when it comes to traveling. 😂 My ideal getaway revolves around relaxation, where the agenda consists primarily of eating, sipping on drinks & soaking in the beautiful scenery.
Children are humans who deserve the same respect as adults.
-you greet children
-you say please/ngicela to children eg “ngicela ungikhele amanzi Thando”
-you say thank you to children noma ngabe una 3 years!!
-and you apologize to children!!