Ramaphosa congratulated Dr Nyaweleni Tshifularo and his team for the successful separation of conjoined twins born at Mankweng Hospital on 28 January, calling the outcome ‘an unbelievable, miraculous operation’ that has brought pride to the nation, reports Cape {town} Etc.
Our winning team of Paediatric and Plastic Reconstructive surgeons after making history. Mankweng hospital has successfully operated and separated our conjoined twins delivered on the 28th of January by a 29 year old as referral from Maphutha Malatjie hospital pic.twitter.com/e9HwF3nipg
— Dr Phophi Ramathuba (@PhophiRamathuba) March 17, 2026
Ramaphosa congratulates doctors on conjoined twins operation
The President spoke directly to the surgical team in a recorded message released by the Presidency.
‘I just wanted to congratulate you all for this unbelievable, miraculous operation that you did on the two-month-old babies and have separated them,’ he said, praising the team for undertaking a procedure ‘that would normally be done at top-class hospitals.’ He added: ‘You are our heroes throughout the country.’ See video below:
President @CyrilRamaphosa congratulates Dr Nyaweleni Tshifularo and his team on a successful separation of the conjoined twins born at Mankweng Hospital in Limpopo on January 28, 2026.
President Ramaphosa extended his heartfelt gratitude to the incredible team led by Prof… pic.twitter.com/cgPUbSjjOS
— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) March 17, 2026
The President noted the extra effort made to secure specialised instruments and supplies, thanking provincial officials for navigating financial processes to make the operation possible. ‘So you are also my star and I want to thank you for all what you have done,’ he said, addressing provincial leaders who supported the team.
How common are these operations in South Africa?
Surgery to separate conjoined twins is rare but not unprecedented in South Africa. Specialist centres and major children’s hospitals have performed a number of high-profile separations over decades.
One clinical review recorded 25 sets of conjoined twins seen at a Cape hospital between 1964 and 1996, showing a long history of local clinical experience.
More recent successful separations have been reported at major hospitals, including a well documented case at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital in Cape Town and other sporadic cases through the years, which together indicate that while such operations remain uncommon they are within the capability of South African surgical teams.
Hospital staff confirmed the babies were fully separated and stable in neonatal care. The President expressed hope for the children’s future life and offered his gratitude to the family and medical staff: ‘We are very proud, we are really overjoyed,’ he said.
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PICS: Conjoined twins successfully separated in Cape Town hospital
Picture: @PhophiRamathuba / X
