Praise for a special delivery at Sterkfontein Caves

We’re immensely proud of four of our team members who heroically stepped in to assist when an unexpected, very special delivery arrived at the Sterkfontein Caves last month.

Tour guides Motlhatsi Mochela, Onica Kekae, Lindiwe Mahlangu and Jacque Deysel, a member of our maintenance crew, flew into action when a young mother unexpectedly went into labour and gave birth at the exit of the Sterkfontein Caves.

Paramedic group, ER24, has written to Maropeng to praise the actions of staff members who delivered a premature, but healthy, baby girl.

“On arrival we found the baby had already been delivered by first aiders, and mom and baby were stable. I would like to applaud your team – from the security to the bystanders and first aiders – who did a fantastic job delivering a gorgeous baby girl. A job well done by your guys,” said paramedic Marga van der Merwe in a message to Maropeng.

Maropeng’s Acting General Manager, Lindsay Marshall, says she's immensely proud of the way the team reacted to the emergency.

“Between the four of them they ensured the safety of not only the mum, but the baby as well. They exhibited a professionalism that was astounding under the circumstances and I was honoured to witness their actions,” she said.

She has also praised the actions of all staff members at the site on that day for the calm and adept way in which they handled the medical emergency.

''I think any birth is a special occasion [more] especially in the Cradle of Humankind,'' Marshall added.