Couple celebrates miraculous journey of premature twins

In a heartwarming tale of resilience and hope that captured the hearts of many, Karabelo and Tshegofatso Pebane of Bloemfontein celebrated a remarkable milestone – the homecoming of their ‘miracle twins’ King and Kingston.

Born prematurely at just 26 weeks, the identical twin boys faced a daunting battle for survival, weighing a fragile 430 grams (Kingston) and 490 grams (King). This marked the start of an emotional rollercoaster for the Pebane family, with the Life Rosepark Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) becoming their home for 98 days.

Reflecting on this difficult journey, Karabelo emphasised the incredible recovery of their twins, who were discharged on January 19^th – their original due date coincidentally. ‘Their discharge, without any medical complications after their intensive care stay, earned them the title of miracle twins,’ he said appreciatively.

However, the road to this moment was not without challenges. At 26 weeks into the pregnancy, Tshegofatso and Karabelo, had to face a critical decision: To deliver the twins prematurely. Doctors, faced with the complexity of the situation, conveyed the stark reality – a 30% chance of survival for the twins. But the Pebanes courageously embraced this uncertain path, their hopes lifted by the incredible dedication of Rosepark Hospital’s medical team. ‘It was not an easy decision,’ Karabelo recalled, ‘I started fasting for 12 hours per day, until the day they were born.’

Amidst this emotional turmoil, the Pebane family found solace in the unwavering support of Bonitas, their medical aid provider. The financial burden, soaring to an incredibly high amount per child, was fully covered by Bonitas.  A fact the Pebanes acknowledge with deep heartfelt appreciation. The couple say that the service they received from Bonitas was super amazing as not once during the three months of the twins’ hospitalisation, did they have to stress about claims not being paid.

The twins' discharge was marked by a touching moment – a guard of honour at the hospital's entrance, attended by nearly half of the hospital staff. This event was truly a testament to the extraordinary nature of the ‘miracle twins’ case. Additionally, it was also the first time that Rosepark hospital had dealt with a premature birth of this nature.

Beyond the joy of returning home, the Pebane family faced the tough reality of adjusting to life outside the hospital walls. The first few days at home were not easy at all,’’ they admitted. King and Kingston each had a nurse assigned to them for every 12-hour shift while in the hospital,’ said Karabelo Being home was a stark contrast from the constant care received in the NICU and adapting to life and their care at home.

As the ‘miracle twins’ embark on their next chapter, their story resonates with the power of resilience and the positive impact of compassion and care in the face of adversity. King and Kingston Pebane symbolise not just survival but the triumph of hope against all odds.