Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve
IF there was ever statistical proof for the popular joke that abantu beMatabeleland abazalazali, Parliament may just have served it up, at least on paper.
Latest figures presented by the Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Douglas Mombeshora, show that Matabeleland
North, Matabeleland South and Bulawayo Metropolitan recorded the country’s lowest number of deliveries in 2025, reinforcing the long-running light-hearted stereotype that people from the region are not exactly leading the national baby race.
Matabeleland North recorded 18 616 deliveries, while Matabeleland South had an even lower 17 094. Bulawayo
Metropolitan registered 20 649 births.
Meanwhile, Harare Metropolitan lived up to its reputation as Zimbabwe’s baby capital, recording a staggering 84 756
deliveries. Mashonaland West followed with 54 283 births, while Manicaland recorded 47 942 and Midlands 46 770.
Mashonaland Central had 43 467 deliveries, Mashonaland East 38 991 and Masvingo 37 483.
Nationally, Zimbabwe recorded 410 051 deliveries during the year.
The figures also showed that the three Matabeleland provinces recorded comparatively lower maternal and neonatal deaths. Matabeleland North recorded 175 neonatal deaths and 15 maternal deaths, while Matabeleland South had
158 neonatal deaths and 16 maternal deaths. Bulawayo recorded 624 neonatal deaths and 61 maternal deaths.
Harare, which had the highest number of deliveries, also recorded the highest maternal and neonatal deaths, with 2 205 neonatal deaths and 190 maternal deaths.
Dr Mombeshora attributed the improving maternal and neonatal health indicators to Government investment in health infrastructure and equipment.
“We are rehabilitating our infrastructure, especially in the rural areas from the clinic level to the district level. We have renovated most of our theatres and are bringing in equipment,” he said.
He said Government had procured more than 43 anaesthetic machines for district hospitals to improve access to caesarean sections, while neonatal resuscitators and mothers’ waiting shelters had also been introduced.
The country’s maternal mortality ratio has improved to about 137 deaths per 100 000 live births, down from 212 previously, as Zimbabwe continues efforts to improve maternal and new-born health.
For now, however, the age-old Matabeleland joke lives on, with the latest numbers giving plenty of ammunition to those who tease that abantu beMatabeleland abazalazali… even if the statistics also reflect differences in population sizes across the country’s provinces.
