For premature and medically fragile infants, breastmilk is more than nutrition. It is medicine. The Mankweng Human Milk Bank has received international recognition at the 2025 G20 Summit in Limpopo for its neonatal innovation, which supports over 4,000 premature babies with this liquid gold lifeline every year.
Limpopo, South Africa (17 November 2025) – Every year, more than 13,000 South African babies are born too soon. Their first fight for life begins in an incubator, and for thousands of them, donor breastmilk is the difference between survival and loss.
On this World Prematurity Day, 17 November 2025, the South African Breastmilk Reserve (SABR) joins global partners in affirming this year’s theme: “Give preterm babies a strong start for a brighter future”.
G20 Summit Spotlight: A National Model for Neonatal Survival
South Africa’s human milk-banking model is a locally engineered, locally built innovation designed to meet the needs of our hospitals and premature infants.
During the 2025 G20 Summit in Limpopo, the Mankweng Human Milk Bank, established and supported through SABR’s national programme, was selected as a demonstration site for maternal and neonatal innovation.
This recognition highlights the impact of SABR’s two decades of work: an entirely home-grown model, featuring locally engineered SoSafe pasteurisation technology, a national network of hospital-based milk banks and South Africa’s donor-mother network, supporting over 4,000 premature babies every year.
It is an African-led solution that has saved tens of thousands of premature babies over 20 years.
The G20 spotlight echoes the World Prematurity Day message: that strong beginnings create stronger futures, and that lifesaving interventions must be scaled to reach all vulnerable newborns.
Why Donor Breastmilk Matters
For premature and medically fragile infants, breastmilk is more than nutrition. It is medicine. It reduces severe infections, prevents life-threatening complications, supports gut development, and helps establish breastfeeding in mothers facing difficult circumstances.
SABR ensures that across South Africa, donor milk is safely pasteurised under strict quality standards and that clinicians receive specialised neonatal milk-banking training. The organisation also ensures that mothers are treated with dignity and compassion and that no baby is denied lifesaving breastmilk because of circumstance.
“Each drop of donor breastmilk represents an act of collective care,” says Stasa Jordan Kerševan, Executive Director of SABR.
“South Africa has built an African-led model that proves innovation, equity, and maternal dignity can save lives. No premature baby should die when breastmilk can save them.”
Call to Action: Strong Beginnings Start With Us
To Mothers: If you have surplus breastmilk, consider becoming a donor. One mother’s gift can save another mother’s child.
To Hospitals and Clinicians: Prioritise breastfeeding support and the safe use of donor milk in neonatal units. Establish human milk banks adjacent to the NICU.
To Government and Policy Partners: Invest in sustainable milk-banking systems. Innovation must be matched with continuity.
To Communities and Champions: Advocate for breastfeeding, maternal dignity, and the rights of premature infants.
As the SABR puts it, together, we can give every preterm baby a brighter future.
Sources: Supplied
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