POLOKWANE – A team of doctors in rural Mankweng, Limpopo, has successfully separated conjoined twin boys in a groundbreaking procedure.
The delicate seven-hour operation, led by Professor Nyaweleni Tshifularo, was conducted on 29 January.
The identical twins, now two months old, were born on 28 January, joined at the abdomen, sharing a liver and other vital organs.
Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba described the operation as a rare, life-changing achievement for a rural public health facility.
She said the case required close collaboration between surgeons, paediatric specialists, anaesthetists, and nurses.
Priceless moment. He helped us to make history Prof Tshifularo Firstly Limpopo performed its first conjoined twins separation surgical procedure Secondly it’s for the first time such major operation is done in a rural hospital because after all to us Rural health matters the most pic.twitter.com/HlMCRI1AOV
— Dr Phophi Ramathuba (@PhophiRamathuba) March 17, 2026
The premier highlighted the complexity of the operation:
“You needed more than one paediatric surgeon; two plastic surgeons were also needed to do skin grafting.”
She confirmed that the twins are in a stable condition and that doctors continue to monitor their recovery.
“This is a manifestation of saying; doctors just need to be supported and be resourced. It doesn’t matter where they are, give them resources and they will perform miracles.”
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Tshifularo said the team had conducted a thorough study to understand the twins’ connection before surgery.
He noted the procedure was highly complex because the babies were joined at the trunk and shared certain organs.
“God has been great. We have successfully done what needed to be done. The babies have been separated, they are alive, and the mother is crying tears of joy.
“This is a great day for the province, the country and my team," he said.
"The twins were delivered here, and with a team of specialists, we knew we had what it takes to have the surgery done here.”
He added that the team began preparations early in the morning, including a session of pastoral care to support everyone involved before the procedure.
President Cyril Ramaphosa also congratulated the team.
“I’m just so pleased and happy that you have undertaken a very complicated operation that would normally be done at top-class hospitals.
"We thank you for having succeeded in doing this unbelievable and complicated operation,” Ramaphosa said.