While dumping babies was illegal, the government should not view the safe relinquishment of infants by desperate women in devices called “Baby Savers” as a criminal offence.
This was the sentiment of founding members of Baby Saver South Africa (BBSA), an organisation started in 2021 that provides a safe alternative for abandoned babies through Baby Savers.
Sometimes resembling an incubator, a Baby Saver is a box in a wall that allows mothers to safely and anonymously place their babies inside. Once the baby is detected inside, an alarm is triggered notifying care workers.
Helderberg Baby Saver and BSSA founding member Sandy Immelman says there were currently nine baby savers in the Western Cape and around 40 in total in South Africa.
The Helderberg Baby Saver was established after newborn ‘Baby Amber’ was dumped next to a river in Somerset West in early 2014.
“She was covered in ants and would have died fairly soon had the dog of some vagrants not sniffed her out, and they then immediately raised the alarm,” Immelman says.
A member of the Somerset West Neighbourhood Watch, Judith Cross, was the first responder to the scene.
A baby placed in our baby saver
— Door of Hope Children's Mission SA (@DoorofHopeJHB) March 15, 2024
Unclamped 1m long bleeding umbilical cord, covered in vernix & dirt
Mommy, what did you have to go through?
How many have failed you
Our hearts bleed for you
we are thankful that you chose the safe option for baby & pray you find comfort & peace pic.twitter.com/WST3DVWRUn
shakirah.thebus@inl.co.za