Tween turns midwife as Mutare woman gives birth in...

Tween turns midwife as Mutare woman gives birth in a Kombi

The pre-teen girl, who was on her way to holiday lessons, helped in the delivery of a baby boy in a commuter minibusafter the mother went into labour on her way for a check-up.

The Manica Post reported that the woman, Ms Patricia Chitsa of Gimboki, said she was still two months from her due date and the contractions took her by surprise.

"I was feeling unwell and wanted to see a doctor. I never thought that I would deliver the baby that morning. I thought they would attend to me at the hospital, allow me to go back home and wait for delivery in February. On our way to the hospital, I suddenly felt the baby coming. I was shocked and scared at the same time. I asked for help. The other passengers were very kind, and they asked the driver to stop the vehicle," she said.

The baby, named Tawanda was delivered safely into the hands of the pre-teen girl was pronounced healthy on admission at Sakubva District Hospital, where they were both pronounced healthy.

"Had they not been alert and quick, maybe we could have lost the baby. I would like to thank the kombi crew and fellow passengers for their swift reaction," said the Mr Nyasa, husband to Ms Chitsa. Tawanda is the couple’s third born.

**Kombi driver Walter Mahite's jacket became baby Tawanda's first wrapper**

Yellowbone" kombi crew have been left with a massive clean up job but they are not complaining.

"We refunded the couple their fare. We gave them the money as a push gift because we saw it as a blessing that the baby boy was born in our kombi,” said "i conductor, Mr Frank Manjeese.
"They blessed our kombi, and we believe that 2024 will be a blessed year for us."
Kombi crew supervisor Mr Ronald Ngondonga said he got more than he bargained for when he decided to be the driver for that trip.

“I was shocked when other passengers shouted for me to stop as we approached Sakubva swimming pool. The passengers shouted that a woman had gone into labour. At first I thought it was a joke.

"When I stopped and looked back, I saw the woman delivering her baby. A brave pre-teen girl who was on her way to holiday lessons received the baby," said Mr Ngongonda.

The usual driver, Mr Walter Mahwite, who was seated near Ms Chitsa donated his jacket to be used as an emergency baby wrapper.

“ We hope that this baby will one day remember us and come back to us as his ‘godfathers'," said the man with a beaming smile.

Another passenger, who was present during the incident, Mr Tinotenda Maroso, said it happened, seemingly with the woman asking for the kombi to be stopped one moment and delivering a whole baby in the next.

"Before we could do anything, we suddenly heard a baby crying. It was both scary and exciting to witness the drama," said Mr Maroso.