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eventREF E-0069113Revised

Event record

Mpho Mathibela, one of the Siamese twins separated in an operation six months earlier, leaves hospital for the first time

Date
9 Nov 1988
Updated
22 Aug 2019
Mpho Mathibela, one of the Siamese twins separated in an operation six months earlier, leaves hospital for the first time

Mpho and Mphonyana Mathibela made headlines when they were born conjoined at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital on 7 December 1986.The twin girls were joined at the head and a decision was made for them to be separated. They were separated in 1988. Mpho proved to be the stronger twin after the surgery, which led to her having to leave her weaker sister, Mphonyana, behind. Having been more afflicted after the surgery than her sister, Mphonyana died of pneumonia a year after they were separated. Mpho, now in her 20’s, is a healthy and happy young woman. However, she still wishes her sister had lived so they could have grown up together.   References: M&G online (October 30 2007) ‘Surviving Mathibela twin meets Madiba’ from Mail&Guardian online [online]. Available at http://mg.co.za [Accessed on 12 October 2011] Molefe, A (September 10 2007). ‘Mpho celebrates her 21st  on December 7’ from Sowetan Live [online]. Available at www.sowetanlive.co.za [Accessed on 12 October 2011]      

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Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, November 2). Mpho Mathibela, one of the Siamese twins separated in an operation six months earlier, leaves hospital for the first time . South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0069113

South African History Online (2011) 'Mpho Mathibela, one of the Siamese twins separated in an operation six months earlier, leaves hospital for the first time ', South African History Online, 2 November. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0069113 (Accessed: 16 August 2026).

South African History Online, Mpho Mathibela, one of the Siamese twins separated in an operation six months earlier, leaves hospital for the first time [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0069113, (accessed 16 August 2026).

"Mpho Mathibela, one of the Siamese twins separated in an operation six months earlier, leaves hospital for the first time ." South African History Online, 2 Nov. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0069113. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

South African History Online. "Mpho Mathibela, one of the Siamese twins separated in an operation six months earlier, leaves hospital for the first time ." South African History Online. November 2, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0069113.

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