EThekwini Municipality has raised the alarm over the rising number of teenage pregnancies in the city, revealing that 7,627 cases were recorded between April 2024 and April 2025, including 154 girls aged between 10 and 14 years.
This startling data was presented at a Teenage Pregnancy Indaba hosted by the Municipality on Tuesday at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre. The gathering brought together government departments, educators, health professionals and civil society to address the escalating crisis.
“Early pregnancies impact not just the young mother and child, but the entire community,” said Deputy Mayor Councillor Zandile Myeni.
“For the province to reduce child and teenage pregnancy, eThekwini Municipality requires a targeted approach and practical solutions before teenage pregnancy becomes a public, social and health crisis.”
The City’s health data also highlighted a concerning trend in teenage terminations, with an average of 582 young girls accessing safe abortion services at municipal facilities each month. Officials warned that the actual figure could be significantly higher when factoring in unsafe procedures performed outside the formal health system.
“Teenage pregnancy is a significant public health concern. It signifies that many young people are engaging in unprotected sex, increasing their risk of HIV,” said Myeni.
“The statistics are especially worrying for girls aged 10 to 14. We need all hands-on deck from parents, teachers, community leaders and government to address this issue.”
Among the areas with the highest burden were Inanda, KwaMashu, Hammarsdale, KwaDabeka, KwaNyuswa, Tshelimnyama, uMlazi and Chatsworth. The City also revealed a list of the top 10 schools with the highest number of reported learner pregnancies from January to March 2025.
One of the key initiatives showcased during the Indaba was the “Zero Percent Learner Pregnancy Programme,” introduced under the District AIDS Council.
The programme aims to keep girls in school while promoting sexual and reproductive health education among learners.
The Indaba was also graced by the presence of AmaZulu Queen MaNdlovu, reinforcing the cultural and societal importance of protecting and empowering young girls.
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