Pic: (A baby picture taken from internet, not Botshelo)

By Obakeng Maje

Pampierstad- A week ago North West residents and South Africa at large were left with mild astonishment after they heard unexpected news.

The reason behind scalp itch and jaw pop came to light two weeks ago when a mother of a three month-old baby came from a local clinic were she took her little girl for check-up.

Maria Tshatsha,31 told sabc that she was left dithered after her three month-old baby Botshelo spoke to her with euphony.

According a Pampierstad-born woman,her three month-old daughter spoke for the first time when they arrived at her house from the clinic.

“I was changing her nappies and suddenly I heard a voice and felt like someone is talking to me. I never expected my daughter Botshelo to communicate with me as she is just a child” Maria Tshatsha told sabc.

Maria Tshatsha, 31 resides at Mountain View, near Pampierstad township and she said after hearing her daughter communicates with her precisely, she was left astonished.

“I tried to change her nappies, suddenly she said mom einah…I asked her what’s wrong and she replied that she do not want to wear a pamper anymore as it makes her feel uncomfortable” Maria said.

“I ran outside for help as I was suprised too. Botshelo is only three months and normally kids of her age cannot speak delicate”.

This drew a lot of attention including local media as many people flocked to Botshelo’s house to hear her speak.

Some people where left with mixed feelings as others said they waited forever hoping for Botshelo to utter a word, but with no success.

Whether Botshelo was gurgling or babbling which is norm to three month-old babies, or she can talk with precision, it remain to be seen.

Yesterday sabc radio spoke to Botshelo’s mother who tried in vain to make her speak, but ‘miracle’ child did not buy that story as you could hear her playing in the background.

According to Maria, she took her ‘miracle’ baby to the local doctor, but the doctor confirmed all is well with the baby and the doctor allegedly said this is normal and shows that Botshelo is a genius.

Maria also alleged that doctor adviced her not to breastfeed her daughter as she might drain her out.

Others who attest to this ‘miracle’ was other woman in the area who claims she gave Botshelo R10 note and she said ‘dankie’ loosenly translated to thank you.

Now Botshelo allegedly eat solid food like an adult without any hassle and she allegedly told her dad that she is hungry.

Our crew tried to contact North West Department of Health MEC Dr Magome Masike to shed his medical experience on the matter, but unfortunately our attempt proved futile as he was in a meeting.

North West health departmental spokesperson Tebogo Lekgethwane was equally suprised and said he will brief MEC about the issue and they will look into it.

“I’ve never ever heard about something like that and this is very very suprising. Unfortunately MEC Masike is engaged it a meeting, but I will brief him about that and see if he could share any idea” Lekgethwane said.

What can a three month old baby do?

A three month baby is already working hard to become more mobile.

As her head and neck muscles become stronger she may soon learn to roll over.

You may want to start changing her nappy on the floor. Babies have a habit of surprising their parents with their new-found abilities.

Your baby is likely to be babbling away to you now.

You can help develop her language skills by talking to her throughout the day.

Try describing what you’re doing as you do it, even if it’s just loading the washing machine.

By three months, probably even earlier, your baby will know you’re special. Most likely she will still smile at strangers, especially when they look her straight in the eye and coo or talk to her. But she’s beginning to sort out who’s who in her life, and definitely prefers some people to others.

The part of the brain that governs hand-eye coordination and allows your baby to recognise objects (the parietal lobe) is developing rapidly now. And the part of the brain which assists with hearing, language and smell, the temporal lobe, has also become more active.

So when your baby hears your voice now, she may look directly at you and start gurgling, or trying to talk back.

Try changing the pitch of your voice, using accents, and singing, to capture your baby’s interest. Don’t worry if she looks the other way, or loses concentration. Try something else, or give her time to rest. Don’t worry about the content of the conversation.

How can I help my baby to understand and use words?

Now your baby is babbling and gurgling habitually, talking to her will encourage her understanding of words. This is the beginning of your baby’s conversation skills. Seize the moment and engage her with different words and sounds. She may babble back to you when you talk to her.

Even with others, your baby is becoming more responsive and engaging, by flashing smiles, oohing and cooing. The fun has really begun. Your baby’s social skills are blossoming.

When you’re with friends, keep your baby nearby so she can hear your conversation. Your baby can’t repeat any words yet, but she’s beginning to store all the information in her rapidly developing memory.

If your home is bilingual, your baby will get double the language training if she regularly hears both languages spoken. Speaking more than one language will broaden her linguistic skills, and knowing another language can support her knowledge of English.

If you’d like your baby to learn more than one language, you and your partner should regularly speak to her in your mother tongue. Doing this from birth means that she will pick up both languages naturally.

If you have any questions at all about your baby’s development, talk to your doctor or health visitor.

In other previous events took place around Taung and its Surroundings.

Benjamin Story?

A person who was allegedly found on top of the roof of the house with bed?

A person who allegedly cooked a human meat with dumbling?

Now a 3 months ‘talking’ baby?

What next…only time will tell.

Approved by the BabyCentre Medical Advisory Board.-TDN

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