Social media users have reacted to a report of a Pretoria woman who allegedly gave birth to 10 children, offering to throw a “national baby shower”.

The Pretoria News reported on Tuesday that Gosiame Thamara Sithole gave birth to the children at an unnamed Pretoria hospital, breaking a world record.

The publication claimed it interviewed the couple at their Tembisa home last month, but delayed publishing the interview “at the request of the couple for safety and cultural reasons”.

“It is seven boys and three girls. She was seven months and seven days preg_nant. I am happy. I am emotional. I can’t talk much. Let’s talk again in the morning please,” the woman’s husband, Teboho Tsotetsi, was quoted as saying.

However the director-general of government communications Phumla Williams said government could not verify the report

“The posts attribute the birth of the babies to Gosiame Thamara Sithole from Gauteng. Government has been unable to verify the authenticity of this birth at our facilities. We need to verify this story and provide assistance where needed,” said Williams.

Social media was in a celebratory mood and flooded Twitter with ideas for a “national baby shower” to provide support for the couple.

After Lucky Star offered the couple a year’s supply of pilchards, social media users called on other brands to also help.

Here’s a years supply of @LuckyStarSA Pilchards to help bring some omega power into your growing family. Enjoy. pic.twitter.com/r06wtWdiS6
— Lucky Star (@LuckyStarSA) June 8, 2021