Baby Fighting for Life after SA Expat Mom Passes Away on Christmas Eve

A pregnant South African expat unexpectedly and tragically died on Christmas Eve in Bolton in the UK; and her baby – delivered at just 25 weeks – is now fighting for her life. Phumeza Gogela – who had celebrated her 35th birthday just nine days beforehand – suffered a fatal heart attack. 

Her baby – baptised and named Phumeza Esther – was delivered by doctors and is currently struggling in critical condition at Royal Bolton Hospital, with multiple bleeding on the brain and a weak heart. According to London-based SA expat Hayley Reichert, Baby Phumeza is not responding to medical treatment at the moment. 

Phumeza’s boyfriend and father of the baby, Prince Sam (known as Sam), and cousin Portia have been left shocked and devastated, and are struggling to come to terms with their loss. It is their wish to repatriate Phumeza’s body back home to SA for a cultural burial.

Sam and Portia have been visiting the hospital daily, along with other members of the South African community, including Rev Scott Manning, who is originally from Gauteng. Rev Manning said tonight that although Baby Phumeza is critical “she is holding strong at the moment… Please pray for her Dad and aunt, who are having to cope with all of this.”

Hayley has set up a fundraising page to help with the repatriation of Phumeza’s body (approximately £3,000) and associated costs – such as daily travel, accommodation and food for Sam and Portia; as well as flight costs for Portia who is acting as next-of-kin (according to Hayley, a person is required to travel with a deceased body). Hayley has set a fundraising target that also includes counselling for Portia and Sam into the new year; and allows for costs relating to Baby Phumeza “or…in the unfortunate circumstance that baby doesn’t make it, both will be repatriated”).

If you’re able to help, please visit this page, and please help Hayley spread the word.