OPINION PIECE: A HEARTFELT JOURNEY OF REPATRIATION AND RESILIENCE

By Precious Mupenzi

• Being part of the South African delegation involved in repatriating a young girl whose mother is incarcerated in Mauritius was an honour and a privilege, writes the Department of Social Development’s Precious Mupenzi.
• For five days, as the officials prepared to fly the young girl to South Africa, emotions ran high for everyone – the mother, the prison community, and the prison staff in Mauritius.
• However, the strength of solidarity, and comfort, among the female inmates towards the mother of the young girl demonstrated the power of women supporting each other in the face of adversity.

It is not often that one gets the privilege to be part of something truly transformative, something that touches your heart in ways you never expect.

Being part of the South African delegation involved in the repatriation of a child whose mother is incarcerated in Mauritius was one such honour, a mission I will forever hold in my heart. This successful operation was not just about the logistics of returning a child to her home country, but about affirming the rights of children and their inherent need for love, support, and a stable environment.

As someone who is deeply passionate about children, I was overwhelmed with joy when we landed in South Africa with the child in tow.

An important mission

The weight of the mission’s success was immeasurable, not just for the child, but for all involved.

For five days, emotions ran high for everyone – the mother, the prison community, and the prison staff.

As a mother myself, I could not help but feel a deep empathy for the mother who had to make the incredibly difficult decision to hand over her child. The thought of being separated from my own children fills me with fear, and so I shared in the emotional turmoil that she must have felt.

But in this case, the sacrifice was necessary. The separation had to take place so the child could be united with her family, and be cared for in a loving, supportive environment.

Perhaps the most poignant moment of this entire mission was witnessing the strength of solidarity among the female inmates.

Although only 15 of the inmates were South African, many others came from different countries. They stood together as a powerful support system for one of their own, offering comfort and reassurance to a friend in need. Their words and actions demonstrated the immense power of women supporting one another in the face of adversity.

I will forever remember the words of one inmate from Umsinga, KwaZulu-Natal, whose face was full of regret as she whispered to one of our department officials, “Look at us, Siniphoxile.” The sadness in her voice and the regret in her face were undeniable. It was a reminder of how deeply the experience impacted everyone, and how much it meant to see the child safely returned to her family.

A mix of emotions

As we left the prison and headed to the hotel to prepare for the flight home the next day, our emotions were mixed. We knew the little girl was on the verge of uniting with her family, but there was also a concern about how she would react to the journey ahead.

To our surprise, she was calm and composed. No tears, no mood swings, just an excited, quiet confidence. It seemed as though she was already looking forward to uniting with her beloved grandmother.

On the flight from Mauritius to South Africa, the little girl, despite being tired, remained lively and full of energy.

When the Department of Social Development’s social worker Dikeledi Louw told her to rest, she simply replied: “Not now, I’ll sleep in South Africa.”

Her enthusiasm for the journey ahead was infectious, and I couldn’t help but admire her spirit.

The other passengers on the flight were amazed by how she kept shouting, “South Africa! South Africa!” as if to say, “Please, take note, I’m going home.”

For this little girl, South Africa was not just a country on a map, it was the promise of a new life, a place where she would finally be embraced by her family.

A royal presence

It’s no surprise that this child is referred to as the “little princess.” Everywhere she goes, people are drawn to her warmth, charm, and infectious spirit. I fell in love with her the moment I saw her. She exudes a sense of joy and resilience that captivates everyone around her, and you can’t help but smile in her presence.

When we passed through passport control, the officer assumed Louw was her mother. This small, yet significant moment struck me deeply; it was a reflection of the strong connection they shared. Even though Louw was not her mother, the bond between them was so palpable that the officer’s assumption seemed natural.

This moment reminded me of something my sister often says: “Abantu abazalwa bembethe.” People who are born under a favourable star, or those blessed by the universe, naturally attract care and attention. It was as though the little girl had this invisible force around her, drawing in everyone she met.

From the moment we first met her to the very last moments of the journey, it was clear that she was surrounded by a web of kindness and goodwill. She was, and continues to be, a beacon of light, and I believe the universe is indeed looking out for her as she embarks on this new chapter of her life.

A remarkable child

Throughout the journey, I was curious about how the little girl would react to our male colleague, Bathembu Futshane, the head of the department’s delegation.

Given that her environment had been predominantly female, I wondered how she would respond to a man. But to my surprise, she interacted with him effortlessly, further confirming the teachers’ description of her as independent, free-spirited, and kind.

She is truly a remarkable child, a “MacGyver” of her generation, with endless potential and a heart full of resilience.

The mission is complete, and as we near the holiday season, my message is simple and clear: Bon vie!

Precious Mupenzi is a Deputy Director, Internal Communication in the Department of Social Development