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Daily Maverick
a day ago
- Daily Maverick
SA's missing kids and the agony of parents who never stop hoping
Hundreds of South African children go missing every year. Most are found, but many are not. For the families left behind, the pain is excruciating – and endless. Zama Nkabinde is one of thousands of parents living with the pain of a missing child. It has been 15 years since her daughter, Amahle, disappeared without a trace. At the time, four-year-old Amahle was living in a place of safety with her brother, Sizo, and several other children. Nkabinde had moved to Pietermaritzburg to escape family woes in Johannesburg and hoped for a fresh start. 'I was running away from our family's issues, wanting a new life for me and my children, away from everything, only to end up unlucky,' she told Daily Maverick. Tragedy struck when a fire broke out at the place of safety, claiming the lives of 11 people. Amahle was not confirmed to be among the dead. None of the recovered bodies was positively identified as hers. Photos taken by the group of children involved in the fire suggested Amahle was not present at the time, and a pathologist's report supported this. A day before the fire, when Nkabinde phoned the facility, she was told Amahle was out playing far from the premises. 'When they told me Amahle's body had burnt to ashes, I couldn't believe it,' Nkabinde recalled. 'I asked to see my little boy in the hospital, and he didn't have a single burn wound. If Sizo didn't burn, what killed Amahle when she could've escaped, too?' Fifteen years have passed, but Nkabinde has never stopped searching or believing. She's convinced Amahle is still alive – a belief supported by two traditional healers. 'I am confident that one day she will be found,' she said. According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), 632 children were reported missing in 2024, down from 742 in 2023. Earlier this year, the police said 8,743 children had been reported missing over the past 10 years. Missing Children South Africa estimates that 77% of missing children are found, and 23% remain missing or are found dead. In May 2025, the SAPS reported that over the past five years, it had reunited 2,963 missing children with their families, 1,919 of whom were female and 967 male. The police said missing persons were found 'through intelligence and meticulous detective work', but thousands of children across the country still remain missing. Like many parents of missing children, Nkabinde has grown despondent over the years – not only from the loss, but from what she sees as a lack of urgency and attention given to her daughter's case. Her frustration is further deepened when she compares her experience to other, more recent cases of missing children – such as that of Joshlin Smith, which drew national attention and swift action, although Joshlin, who was six when she went missing in Saldanha Bay in February 2024, has not been found. 'There were helicopters, sniffer dogs, teams of officers and volunteers – the whole country looking… And don't get me wrong, every missing child deserves that. But so does Amahle. Why wasn't her case treated with the same urgency?' Still, Nkabinde hasn't given up hope – even if it feels like her last chance. Her final hope rests with KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who took over Amahle's case in December 2024. His decision to reopen and investigate the case again has given Nkabinde a small sense of hope. 'Happening everywhere' Missing Children South Africa, a nonprofit organisation that works closely with the SAPS on missing persons cases, has observed a rise in the number of children reported missing. According to its national coordinator, criminologist Bianca van Aswegen, children go missing for varying reasons. In some cases, they run away from home, often because of abuse or challenging home environments. Other cases involve kidnapping, which can occur for multiple reasons, including human trafficking, illegal adoptions, forced labour and sexual exploitation. Sadly, there are cases where children disappear for no known reason, because they have not yet been found. 'It can happen to anyone at any time, at any place,' Van Aswegen said. 'So we cannot really pinpoint at this point on gender, age, geography. It really is happening all over South Africa, and really anyone can become a victim. 'There are no particular provinces or regions that are affected. This is affecting the whole of South Africa. We're seeing it from little towns to big cities like Cape Town and [those in] Gauteng. So this is something that is happening everywhere,' she said. One of the main factors contributing to a decrease in the number of children being found is a widespread belief that 24 hours must pass before a person can be reported missing. That used to be the case, but the police now recommend reporting a missing person immediately. 'The quicker the case gets reported, the quicker action can be taken,' Van Aswegen said. Another factor is that cases aren't being reported because parents and caregivers are reluctant to go to the police, making it difficult to assess the true number of missing children. Many families are now using social media and putting out flyers, but they are not contacting the police, which hampers investigations. 'And those cases aren't getting reported. That also has an influence on the statistics because a lot of cases go unreported,' Van Aswegen said. While the country is currently commemorating Child Protection Week, she said: 'Our children's safety is a priority. It takes a village to raise a child, and it takes a village to keep a child safe. 'So in light of Child Protection Week … we urge people to please be vigilant. Know where your children are at all times.' Jacqui Thomas, director of the Pink Ladies Organisation, which works to reunite missing children with their loved ones, said the reasons children go missing 'obviously differ immensely from case to case'. However, she pointed to common trends, such as families that have a 'lack of resources (poverty, unemployment, lack of provision of adequate mental health services), fractured families and a general decline in moral fibre of adult populations who are tasked with caring for the young and elderly'. The Pink Ladies Organisation has dealt with 291 cases so far in 2025 – 143 children are still missing, 138 have been found and 10 have been found dead. Poverty, violence, neglect Joshlin Smith's mother, her mother's boyfriend and a friend of theirs were convicted of human trafficking and kidnapping, highlighting the issue of trafficking in persons (TIP). In his statement during sentencing in the trial this week, former Hawks member and trafficking expert Dr Marcel van der Watt said: 'While not all missing persons cases are connected to TIP, many TIP incidents involve individuals who are reported or perceived as missing. 'Children and adults go missing for a variety of reasons, often linked to challenging or traumatic circumstances. Some may run away from home to escape issues such as domestic or sexual violence, while others, particularly those with mental health challenges, may become lost. 'Individuals can also fall victim to crimes, including gender-based violence, kidnappings such as opportunistic abductions, parental abductions or kidnappings linked to traditional medicine practices, and TIP. 'In some cases, the missing persons are later discovered in mortuaries as unidentified individuals, while others may disappear due to suicide. 'We cannot ignore the stories of victims like Joshlin Smith, who is still missing. Her case is a stark reminder of the countless other Joshlins out there, children whose names we may never know, who have been taken and never found,' Van der Watt told the court. He referred to Robyn Wolfson Vorster's four-part series on missing children in Daily Maverick in 2021. Wolfson Vorster said children were often vulnerable to going missing because of 'poverty, violence, neglect, unsafe environments, dysfunctional families, institutional care, harmful cultural practices, undocumented status, inadequate policing and government policy'. Children are protected by various rights under the Constitution, but Wolfson Vorster said the government's 'policies and practices preventing children going missing or being exploited are inadequate'. She cited Patricia Martin, from the South African National Child Rights Coalition, who said the lack of programmes is a 'systematic implementation breakdown'. Wolfson Vorster said a shortage of police resources, including DNA backlogs, the inconsistent application of policing protocols and failures in developing the necessary policies to protect children had exacerbated the problem. Searching without funding Veronique Williams, the founder of Faith Hope Missing Persons in Mitchells Plain, Cape Town, is a former police officer. She was a manager for the Pink Ladies Organisation before she started Faith Hope five years ago and now helps families find their children. 'My heart was always there for children. I've always said that when I grow up and have a lot of money, I'd like to build a shelter where I can pick up children from the streets, care for them and provide them with the education they need to realise their dreams,' Williams said. But her nonprofit organisation, which covers the Western Cape, struggles with money, often asking companies for help. 'When we receive a report about a missing child, we post a flyer on social media and travel to the location as quickly as feasible to conduct a search. Sometimes trips are delayed because we need to wait for petrol money,' Williams said. Her plea to Police Minister Senzo Mchunu is to establish a fully equipped missing persons unit that includes dogs, drones, helicopters and cellphone tracking devices. She said search teams are thrilled when they find a child, but it's devastating when, after days, weeks and months of searching, a child remains missing. 'But we don't give up.' Mother's pain still palpable Interviews with mothers whose children have been missing for years revealed that their pain is palpable, as if their children had disappeared yesterday. They recounted their heartbreaking memories, sleepless nights and depression linked to their missing children. Anthea Michaels (38) is the mother of Shaskia Michaels, who went missing at the age of four on 5 September 2013 while playing outside her home in Bayern Munich Road, Tafelsig, Cape Town. When Daily Maverick met Michaels and her parents Roslyn Faroa (59) and Gert (57) on 14 May, they were relaxing in the sun with neighbours outside their home. The day Shaskia went missing, the child was living with her parents. Michaels said: 'It has been nearly 12 years since my child vanished. I can't explain how I feel.' She still clings to the hope that her child is alive. 'I'm still very hurt. Every day when I watch the children play in the street, I think about how she would have been today. She turned 16 this year.' Roslyn Faroa said: 'The Joshlin case has opened old wounds… The wait eats away at one's soul. 'The most painful moment is on her birthday on 2 April. On that day, we buy chips and sweets for the children in the road and although she is not here, the children will sing 'Happy birthday, Shaskia'.' 'No mother should have to go through this' Lameez Bobbs is the mother of Kauther, who disappeared at the age of five on 12 October 2012. She was last seen playing with her friends at a park in Cedarburg Road in Tafelsig. She lived two doors down from Michaels in the same street. A year separated the disappearances of Kauther and Shaskia. Bobbs recalled the dreadful day, saying she was washing clothes while Kauther and a friend were playing in the yard. 'When I came out to look for her, she was gone. I heard they were playing in the park. That is where she apparently went missing. 'What I don't understand is why the police made such a big fuss about the Joshlin disappearance and nothing about our children. It's almost like our children aren't important but Joshlin is,' Bobbs said. 'If there was such a big fuss about Kauther and other missing children, they would have been found. 'You cannot describe how you feel… If I'm sleeping and I hear a child scream, I'm completely awake. I do not want anyone's mother to go through what I am going through.' 'I don't want to die not knowing what happened' Ursula Keet (72) said her child had been missing for 30 years. Baden disappeared aged 12 on 14 January 1995. At the time of his disappearance, Keet was working a night shift, and she was oblivious of the turmoil surrounding her child's disappearance. At 10pm that night, she received a chilling call. On the phone was a pastor and close friend: 'The pastor told me Baden wasn't home yet.' He has never been found. 'My agony has lasted from the day of his disappearance until today. I went through a bitter pain, but I was supported by family and friends during this tough time.' After 30 years, she still hopes that Baden will be found, despite many people telling her to move on. 'How can a mother forget things, and you don't have your child? I didn't find closure with my child. Sometimes I cannot sleep. I am now under a doctor's care for depression. 'My prayer is that before I close my eyes one day, I will see my child and leave with a calm heart.' Speaking to Daily Maverick, Keet struggled to find words, and tears rolled down her cheeks. 'My late husband … died with that memory, unaware of where his son was,' she said. 'I don't want to die like my late husband, who did not know what happened to our child, where he is or if he is still alive.' DM
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I had a glow-down after hiding under foundation & drawn-on brows – now people are begging me never to touch makeup again
People reckon she now looks '10 years younger' YOU GLOW GIRL I had a glow-down after hiding under foundation & drawn-on brows – now people are begging me never to touch makeup again A WOMAN has left people open-mouthed after sharing her epic glow-down. In a bid to embrace her natural beauty, Amahle Mgenge ditched her heavy make-up, which included cakey foundation and drawn-on eyebrows. Advertisement 2 The stunner left social media users gobsmacked after sharing her jaw-dropping glow-down Credit: TIKTOK/amahlemgengee 2 People reckon she now looks '10 years younger' Credit: TIKTOK/amahlemgengee And now, the stunner has left people gobsmacked after sharing her before and after look. In a new trend, social media users are sharing their jaw-dropping glow-downs, with many ditching fillers and heavy make-up for a more natural look. There have now been plenty of glow-downs posted online, but it will be pretty challenging to find one more epic than Carla's. A glow-down, similar to the 'clean girl aesthetic' trend, is rooted in the idea of 'less is more'. Advertisement It promotes enhancing natural beauty - rather than covering it up. With a glow-down, out are long hair extensions, colourful fake nails and mega lashes - and in is learning how to take care of your skin to make it look youthful and radiant. Before embarking on her transformation journey, Amahle wore heavy foundation and contour for a defined appearance. She also styled her hair, brushed up and drew on her brows, wore fluttery fake eyelashes and lined her already plump lips with lip liner. Advertisement But after becoming ''hiding behind make-up'' for ''so long'', the young beaut soon realised she had had enough of the aesthetic and decided to give herself a brand new look. Sharing the jaw-dropping transformation online, Amahle showed off what she looked like before, prior to going on a journey to become more confident in her natural appearance. I asked ChatGPT to help me glow up for summer - I did all the tweaks at home myself Seconds later, the young beauty rocked a much more fresh-faced look, showing off her radiant skin and her hair blowing in the wind. Now, Amahle has said goodbye to the cakey foundation and faux lashes, as she shared a selfie after her glow-down. Advertisement Alongside pictures of her after saying goodbye to the mega glam look, Amahle shared: 'I almost forgot how beautiful I look without it [make-up].'' Four ways to give yourself a glowdown Thick fluffly lashes are out, so is the fake tan and long how to have the ultimate glow-down in four steps... The term "glow-down" refers to a woman removing what once was the most popular beauty choices, for a more natural look. Eyelash extensions - Thick, bold "Russian lashes" used to be all the rage, but nowadays, girls are opt for subtle, individual eyelash extensions to lengthen what they already have. Nails - Gone are the long, plastic talons, more women are favouring BIAB or gel manis. Hair colour - Remember when everyone wanted icy white hair? Not anymore! Millions of women are trying to go back to their roots (literally), and have soft blondes, and warm gold tones added to their hair, in a bid to achieve the "old money blonde" look. Makeup - Sculpting your face shape through the art of contouring is no more. Ladies are adding freckles and sweeping blush across cheekbones instead. Social media users gasp The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @amahlemgengee, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly amassed over an astronomical 9million views. Not only this, but it's also racked up 2.6million likes, over 20k comments and more than 85k saves. Social media users were left open-mouthed by Amahle's natural beauty and many eagerly rushed to the comments to express this. Advertisement One viewer said: ''The makeup was self sabotage.'' Another agreed, demanding: ''Don't ever touch it again.'' Meanwhile, someone else thought the glow-down has slashed a decade off her face. ''10 years younger.'' Advertisement ''That's it, you're banned from makeup,'' a fourth chimed in.
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
I had a glow-down after hiding under foundation & drawn-on brows – now people are begging me never to touch makeup again
A WOMAN has left people open-mouthed after sharing her epic glow-down. In a bid to embrace her 2 The stunner left social media users gobsmacked after sharing her jaw-dropping glow-down Credit: TIKTOK/amahlemgengee 2 People reckon she now looks '10 years younger' Credit: TIKTOK/amahlemgengee And now, the stunner has left people gobsmacked after sharing her before and after look. In a new trend, social media users are sharing their jaw-dropping There have now been plenty of glow-downs posted online, but it will be pretty challenging to find one more epic than Carla's. A glow-down, similar to the ' READ MORE ON BEAUTY It promotes enhancing With a glow-down, out are long Before embarking on her transformation journey, Amahle wore heavy She also styled her hair, brushed up and drew on her brows, wore fluttery fake eyelashes and lined her already plump lips with lip liner. Most read in Fabulous But after becoming ''hiding behind make-up'' for ''so long'', the young beaut soon realised she had had enough of the aesthetic and decided to give herself a brand new look. Sharing the jaw-dropping transformation online, Amahle showed off what she looked like before, prior to going on a journey to become more confident in her natural appearance. I asked ChatGPT to help me glow up for summer - I did all the tweaks at home myself Seconds later, the young beauty rocked a much more Now, Amahle has said goodbye to the cakey foundation and faux lashes, as she shared a selfie after her glow-down. Alongside pictures of her after saying goodbye to the mega glam look, Amahle shared: 'I almost forgot how beautiful I look without it [make-up].'' Four ways to give yourself a glowdown Thick fluffly lashes are out, so is the fake tan and long how to have the ultimate glow-down in four steps... The term "glow-down" refers to a woman removing what once was the most popular beauty choices, for a more natural look. Eyelash extensions - Thick, bold "Russian lashes" used to be all the rage, but nowadays, girls are opt for subtle, individual eyelash extensions to lengthen what they already have. Nails - Gone are the long, plastic talons, more women are favouring BIAB or gel manis. Hair colour - Remember when everyone wanted icy white hair? Not anymore! Millions of women are trying to go back to their roots (literally), and have soft blondes, and warm gold tones added to their hair, in a bid to achieve the "old money blonde" look. Makeup - Sculpting your face shape through the art of contouring is no more. Ladies are adding freckles and sweeping blush across cheekbones instead. Social media users gasp Not only this, but it's also racked up 2.6million likes, over 20k comments and more than 85k saves. Social media users were left open-mouthed by Amahle's natural beauty and many eagerly rushed to the comments to express this. One viewer said: ''The makeup was self sabotage.'' Another agreed, demanding: ''Don't ever touch it again.'' Meanwhile, someone else thought the glow-down has slashed a decade off her face. ''10 years younger.'' ''That's it, you're banned from makeup,'' a fourth chimed in.
The Citizen
30-04-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Netball prodigy needs funding for dream Singapore tour
For 18-year-old Amahle the invitation to the tour in Singapore is nothing short of a dream realized. Organized by Blue Running Sports International, the tour offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase her talent on a global stage. But while her dedication and hard work have brought her this far, a major financial hurdle now stands in her way. The total cost of the trip is R70,000, excluding additional expenses, an amount her family simply cannot afford on their own. Although Amahle was raised in a loving and supportive home, her mother, Thembeka Radebe, says that covering such a large sum is beyond their means. 'The cost is overwhelming,' Thembeka shared. 'We're appealing to anyone who can help to support our daughter. She has immense talent in netball, and this opportunity could change her life.' Amahle is already a respected name in local netball circles. She currently captains the Dolphins under-17 team, where her leadership and skill on the court have earned her widespread recognition. Speaking about her journey, Amahle highlighted the discipline and passion the sport demands. 'Netball isn't just a game—it's something you have to love and commit to completely,' she said. 'It challenges you physically and mentally, and it teaches you to stay focused both on and off the court.' Despite her athletic ambitions, Amahle remains grounded in her academics. She's committed to maintaining a strong academic record, knowing that education will play a key role in shaping her future, no matter where her netball career takes her. Amahle is one of just four players selected to represent her school on this prestigious tour. If she can raise the necessary funds, she will depart on December 5 and return on December 15. The Thusi family is deeply appreciative of any support received and hopes the Newcastle community will rally behind Amahle to help her seize this life-changing opportunity. How You Can Help Amahle Reach Singapore: To contribute towards the tour costs, please visit her fundraising page: To assist with additional expenses such as passport fees and netball gear, donations can be made directly via bank transfer: Banking Details: Capitec Bank Account Number: 2256374323 Account Name: Ms AAT Thusi Reference: AMN/ATHU The news provided to you in this link has been investigated and compiled by the editorial staff of the Newcastle Advertiser, a sold newspaper distributed in the Newcastle area. Please follow us on Youtube and feel free to like, comment, and more local news, visit our webpage, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and request an add on our WhatsApp (082 874 5550). At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
