[imagesource: Ayanda Ndamane/ African News Agency]

On Monday, at an unnamed Pretoria hospital, 37-year-old Gosiame Thamara Sithole gave birth to 10 babies, since dubbed the ‘Tembisa 10’.

Seven boys, three girls, one Guinness World Record, and what must have been an incredible effort on the part of both hospital staff and Gosiame herself.

However, in the days that have followed, there has been a cloak of secrecy around certain details, such as which hospital the birth took place at, and there have no photos of the decuplets released.

The fact that it’s solely IOL with the inside scoop, and in particular, journalist Piet Rampedi (notorious for his role in the fake SARS ‘rogue unit’ stories from years back), only adds further intrigue.

Last night, Gauteng Health MEC Nomathemba Mokgethi said the department had not yet been able to confirm the birth of the decuplets, although neighbours and family members have backed up the story.

The father, Tebogo Tsotetsi, says that photos have not been forthcoming because the babies were born prematurely, and will be released in due course.

Tsotetsi is reported to have six other children, bringing his total to 16.

The family has already appealed to the public for assistance, with drop-off points and bank details shared,

Now Iqbal Survé, Chairman of Sekunjalo Investments, and Executive Chairman of Independent Media, which owns IOL, says he has gifted Tebogo and his family R1 million.

This via The Daily Voice, which also falls under his umbrella and calls Survé a “philanthropist” in this puff piece:

“They are extremely special, at one go the nation has received a gift which we truly treasure and with all such gifts it’s important that we put in place systems, resources of support for the family. They are living with humble origins,” said Survé.

“My family foundation, Survé Philanthropies, has informed Tebogo and the family that we’re providing substantial resources to them to help them through this wonderful but challenging time from the point of view of the babies.

Image: Ayanda Ndamane/African News Agency

“They will require good health care and education, food and proper accommodation.

“We are going to be dividing R1 million over a period of time and various other support services.”

That’s Rampedi sandwiched between Tsotetsi and Survé above.

In another IOL story, released yesterday, it’s reported that the money will be paid over four years, in tranches of R250 000 per year.

I wonder how the Public Investment Corporation, which is suing Independent Media to recover R392,6 million, as well as Sekunjalo Independent Media and Ayo Technology Solutions, feels about the reported R1 million donation.

Or, you could call that R1 million the fee it took to secure exclusive rights to the story, which is quite clearly what is going on here.

As long as it helps Sithole and Tsotetsi take care of their decuplets, so be it.

[sources:dailyvoice&iol]