Johannesburg – The five-year-old girl affectionately called Little Princess, born in a Mauritian prison while her South African mother serves time for drug trafficking, has landed safely at OR Tambo International Airport.
Having spent a considerable part of her early years behind bars, she was accompanied by officials from the department and has successfully returned to South Africa, where she reunites with her grandmother, who will now fulfill the role of her primary caregiver.
This little girl, whose mother has been incarcerated since 2019, met her extended family for the first time upon her arrival on Friday, December 13, 2024.
At the airport, she was welcomed warmly by her grandmother, alongside social workers from the department.
In an emotional moment, tears flowed as the grandmother and granddaughter instantly recognized each other.
The department revealed that, prior to the repatriation, Mauritian authorities set up regular Skype calls between the child and her grandmother to ease the transition.
Joyful hugs and heartfelt expressions of love characterized their reunion.
This reunion was made possible thanks to the Department of Social Development, which successfully facilitated the return of the five-year-old girl.
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Reflecting on the circumstances that resulted in the separation, a department official noted: “The mother, who was unaware she was one month pregnant, ingested drugs in an attempt to smuggle them.”
She was arrested by law enforcement in Mauritius and has been detained since while awaiting trial.
Reflecting on the success of this initiative, Bathembu Futshane, the department’s Acting Chief Director of Communications, stated: “I am overwhelmed with pride and gratitude to be a part of such a transformative and meaningful story.”
“This accomplishment underscores the importance of our ongoing efforts to improve the lives of children.”
Precious Mupenzi, Deputy Director of Internal Communications, also shared her thoughts on the mission: “This experience served as a crucial learning opportunity, illustrating South Africa’s dedication to advocating for children’s rights.”
“A key lesson from this experience is the need to prioritize children in every situation to ensure a brighter future.”
“I was profoundly inspired by the solidarity among women supporting each other, even under difficult circumstances.”
“The unity shown by the female prison community in Mauritius towards the mother and daughter was a powerful illustration of what women can achieve together.”
The Department will ensure the child receives comprehensive child protection services to support her successful adjustment to her new environment.
As mandated by the Children’s Act, the department is responsible for repatriating South African children in distress abroad.
South Africa’s obligation under Section 7 of the Children’s Act 38 of 2005 is to protect the best interests of the child.
Section 7(1)(f)(ii) of the Act requires the Department to ensure that a child “maintains a connection with his or her extended family, culture or tradition.”
