Sisters Reunited After Two-Month Separation in Cape Town

Ndemushakena family with U-turn Service Centre Manager Raymond Bowman. Photo Credit: Supplied

When Namibian sisters Linda and Fransina Ndemushakena lost each other in the chaos of trying to travel back home from Belville, the dedication of the police and the compassion of U-Turn’s Homeless Ministries staff contributed to the miracle that brought them back together.

Cape Town, South Africa (17 November 2025) – What started as a short visit to Cape Town turned into two months of fear and uncertainty for two young sisters from Namibia.

Linda, aged 25, arrived in South Africa in early July to visit her sister, Fransina, who had been living in Hout Bay. The two planned to return home together a week later. While trying to find transport in Bellville, they became separated in the dark.

Confused and frightened, Linda ran when she saw a police car, thinking she might be in trouble. Moments later, she was chased by a white car and lost sight of her sister.

Two days later, Mowbray police officers found Linda exhausted and hungry and brought her to U-turn’s Powerhouse safe space in Claremont.

“She was physically and emotionally drained,” says social auxiliary worker Noxolo Mandukwini.

“She hadn’t eaten or bathed in two days. I gave her a shower, clean clothes, food and new shoes.”

While Linda recovered, Noxolo began searching for Fransina. She contacted police stations, the Namibian consulate and even shared photos on Facebook. Thankfully, with the help of a friend in Hout Bay, she eventually traced the sisters’ former landlord, who supplied contact details for their family in Namibia.

The trail led back to Bellville, where police had admitted a woman matching Fransina’s description to Stikland Hospital.

“After two months of searching, we finally found her,” says Noxolo.
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With assistance from Warrant Officer Chetty of Claremont SAPS, U-turn arranged for Fransina’s discharge and transport to the Claremont centre, where the two sisters embraced in tears of relief.

For the next few weeks, they stayed safely at Powerhouse while U-turn coordinated with their family in Namibia. On 30 September, their older sister Veronica arrived in Cape Town to take them home. Staff and clients gathered to say goodbye.

Peer worker and U-turn graduate Tarryn Addinal remembers that day clearly.

“Fransina came to me and said she was so grateful for U-turn. She said she hadn’t known a place like this existed, where people would care when she was struggling. She told me, ‘Now I know that God loves me’,” Tarryn recalls.

Before leaving, the sisters returned their Mi-Change vouchers, the currency used to purchase services at the centre, but were encouraged to keep one each as a reminder of their time in Cape Town.

Together with staff and police, they prayed, thanking God for protection and new beginnings. Centre manager Raymond Bowman says moments like these remind the team why they do what they do.

“We see hardship every day, but this story shows what can happen when people care enough to get involved. I commend my staff who go above and beyond every day to serve our clients, affirm their dignity and provide hope.”

Thanks to the persistence of local police and staff at U-turn Ministries, Linda and Fransina Ndemushakena are finally home again.

For U-turn, the reunion is another example of how compassion and persistence can restore human worth and rebuild lives. What began as a frightening ordeal ended with hope, family and faith restored.