A blind and partially deaf woman has been reunited with her family after 25 years. Zanyiwe Miriam Qwibi, 62, of Amalinda Forest, was reconnected with her family after a public appeal by neighbours concerned about her well-being.
Qwibi had been living alone since the death of her husband, 82-year-old Pita Sakumzi Velaphi, last month.
Locals began the search for her family and after a month, finally made a breakthrough.
Neighbour Luleka Matebese said she wanted to notify both the Qwibi and Velaphi families about the death.
“We were worried that she had nobody to help her and take care of her.”
Another neighbour, Phumeza Bolisiki, told the Daily Dispatch that Velaphi was not just her life partner, but her eyes and ears.
“She depended on him to draw their pension money and take her wherever she went,” she said.
Last month the Daily Dispatch reported on the widow’s plight and the plea from residents of Amalinda Forest.
The owner of Shoba funerals in Grahamstown, Mthuthuzeli Shoba, saw the article, which had a picture of the widow.
“Although I did not recognise the woman, I knew the Qwibi family as we belong to the same clan,” he said.
Shoba tracked down the family and showed them the article in the paper.
Nobendiba Qwibi, the widow’s cousin, said she was illiterate and would have never known of her cousin’s existence if she had not been told.
“Years ago when I had attended her son’s funeral, I was told she had passed on. I was so surprised to learn that she was still alive and lonely,” she said.
Nobendiba said she did not recognise the picture in the paper because she had not seen her cousin since she left Grahamstown to seek employment in East London in the 1990s.
“At the time Mr Shoba came to tell us, we had no money because we rely on the social grant.
“We had called the listed numbers of the helpful neighbours and requested they continue looking after my cousin until our next payday,” she said.
Finally on Saturday, Nobendiba arrived from Grahamstown and visited her cousin.
“She was so happy and crying and the same time.
“It was a very teary moment for all of us,” she said.
Qwibi’s niece, Lindiswa Bekwa, said the family was grateful for the help and efforts made by the community.
“I had last seen her when I was 10 years old and I am very happy to be taking her home today,” she said.
The family, including Qwibi, left for Grahamstown yesterday. — mbalit@dispatch.co.za
Plea helps reunite blind woman with long lost family
Qwibi had been living alone since the death of her husband, 82-year-old Pita Sakumzi Velaphi, last month.
Locals began the search for her family and after a month, finally made a breakthrough.
Neighbour Luleka Matebese said she wanted to notify both the Qwibi and Velaphi families about the death.
“We were worried that she had nobody to help her and take care of her.”
Another neighbour, Phumeza Bolisiki, told the Daily Dispatch that Velaphi was not just her life partner, but her eyes and ears.
“She depended on him to draw their pension money and take her wherever she went,” she said.
Last month the Daily Dispatch reported on the widow’s plight and the plea from residents of Amalinda Forest.
The owner of Shoba funerals in Grahamstown, Mthuthuzeli Shoba, saw the article, which had a picture of the widow.
“Although I did not recognise the woman, I knew the Qwibi family as we belong to the same clan,” he said.
Shoba tracked down the family and showed them the article in the paper.
Nobendiba Qwibi, the widow’s cousin, said she was illiterate and would have never known of her cousin’s existence if she had not been told.
“Years ago when I had attended her son’s funeral, I was told she had passed on. I was so surprised to learn that she was still alive and lonely,” she said.
Nobendiba said she did not recognise the picture in the paper because she had not seen her cousin since she left Grahamstown to seek employment in East London in the 1990s.
“At the time Mr Shoba came to tell us, we had no money because we rely on the social grant.
“We had called the listed numbers of the helpful neighbours and requested they continue looking after my cousin until our next payday,” she said.
Finally on Saturday, Nobendiba arrived from Grahamstown and visited her cousin.
“She was so happy and crying and the same time.
“It was a very teary moment for all of us,” she said.
Qwibi’s niece, Lindiswa Bekwa, said the family was grateful for the help and efforts made by the community.
“I had last seen her when I was 10 years old and I am very happy to be taking her home today,” she said.
The family, including Qwibi, left for Grahamstown yesterday. — mbalit@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos