”All the Best, Gogo”: SA Granny in Zimbabwe Searches for Estranged Mzansi Family
- An 84-year-old South African woman, Nombithi Mciha, is living in Zimbabwe and desperately trying to reconnect with her family in Bloemfontein
- Nombithi originally came from the Orange Free State during the Rhodesian era and has been separated from her siblings for generations
- A Facebook appeal shared by Ezra Tshisa Sibanda is asking South Africans who may recognise her family names to come forward
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Source: Facebook
An 84-year-old South African woman is calling on strangers to help her find her family. Nombithi Mciha, originally from Bloemfontein in the Free State, has lived in Zimbabwe for decades and is now making a heartfelt plea to reconnect with the relatives she left behind.
Nombithi came to Zimbabwe during the Rhodesian era, many years ago, and now lives in Mharadza Village, Zaka District, Masvingo Province. The years and the distance have made it impossible for her to trace her family on her own.
Her father's name was Phithimalo, her mother's name was Selinah, and her family totem is UmTsha. She remembers her siblings by name: Mnyamani, Tandiwe, Zenzo, and Nomalanga. Armed with those details, the hope is that someone in South Africa will recognise at least one of these names and make the connection.
On 11 August 2026, Facebook user Ezra Tshisa Sibanda shared her appeal, calling on people to share the post widely.
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Anyone with information that could help locate Nombithi's relatives is asked to contact Shadreck on +263 781 416 543 or +263 788 079 700.
View the Facebook post below:
A story that touched many hearts
The post struck a chord with people across southern Africa, many of whom saw their own family histories reflected in Nombithi's story on the page.
Chedu Brandy suggested:
"Contact Khumbul'ekhaya; they'll help you trace the relatives of the old woman by airing it on national television."
Khopotso Madela offered some context:
"She probably got married to a Zimbabwean many years ago before landlines and cellphones. I think that's why she lost contact; maybe visiting home was expensive. All the best Gogo!"
The story also moved Themba Maseko to share his own situation:
"Exactly the story of my late mom, who originates from Ermelo, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. Her name is Ellen Hluli Mndebele. I wish to locate her family in Mpumalanga."
Sara Ndiweni offered an encouraging note:
"It's good that she remembers lots of her family members; the information is enough to help her locate them masinyane [quickly]."
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Source: Briefly News
