"His Name is Hendrik Frederik Nortman": Durban Homeless Man Appeals for Help to Find His Family
- Hendrik Frederik Nortman has been living on Durban's streets after travelling to the city in search of work years ago
- A woman named Jeanette Dreyer is helping Hendrik trace three sisters he believes may be living in Gauteng
- Missing Person South Africa shared his appeal, asking communities in Potchefstroom, Vereeniging and Krugersdorp to come forward
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Source: Facebook
A Durban man who left home in search of a better life is now appealing to the public to help him find the family he has lost touch with over the years.
Hendrik Frederik Nortman, born on 3 February 1980, travelled to Durban hoping to find employment. When work did not materialise, he ended up on the streets, where he has remained for several years.
A woman named Jeanette Dreyer has taken up his cause. She is helping Hendrik trace his relatives after he shared what he remembers about them, hoping someone, somewhere, will recognise a name.
Who Hendrik is looking for
Hendrik is searching for three sisters. The first is Jenny Nortman, believed to be around 48 years old. The second is Adri Nortman, believed to be around 52, who Hendrik says has two children and once worked at American Swiss in Westgate. The third is Susan Pretorius, believed to be in her 50s, who is married to Frans Pretorius. Frans reportedly worked for SAPS before starting his own business, and the couple may currently be living in Krugersdorp, Gauteng.
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Hendrik remembers that his family originally came from Potchefstroom before relocating to Vereeniging. He acknowledges that these details are based on memories from years ago and may have changed.
How to help Hendrik
The appeal was posted on 9 October 2026 by Missing Person South Africa and it quickly drew responses from people wanting to help. Jeanette hopes that a wider reach will bring the right person forward. Anyone with information is encouraged to make contact privately rather than sharing the family's personal details publicly.
Those who may know the Nortman or Pretorius families, particularly in Potchefstroom, Vereeniging, Krugersdorp, the Westgate area, or Durban, can reach out through the following contacts:
Jeanette Dreyer: 072 076 5178
Missing Person South Africa: 068 176 9574
Durban Central SAPS: 031 325 4281
View the Facebook post below:
South Africans respond with suggestions
Les Ferreira wrote:
"There is an Adri Meyer (Nortman) who has a friend called Jenny Nortman on Facebook. Both list themselves as being from Johannesburg. Could be coincidental but maybe worth looking into. Adri Meyer lists her home as Durban."
Dawn Scott said:
"Jeanette Fouche Dreyerr, you're an earth angel helping the man in need. I believe sharing the post far and wide is the best way forward."
Shanell Fynn suggested:
"Waar In Die Wereld [Where In The World] is the name of the group that could help him. Maybe post it there. I pray he could be reunited with his family."
Susan de Klerk commented:
"I really don't think he is 46 years old, even living in bad circumstances. Maybe not use his birthdate as a reference? I really hope he will find his family. Feel so sorry for him!"
Shaylin Harichand added:
"I suggest posting this on Reaction Unit South Africa's page. They are very well networked and the exposure may help find this man's family. All the best!!"
More Briefly News stories on missing people
- Shameeque Daries, a 10-year-old girl from Wallacedene, Kraaifontein, has been found safe after a community search involving residents, police and security personnel.
- Asimbongekuhle Sibanda's family learned she had died after a missing-person appeal linked them to Tambo Memorial Hospital in Benoni, months after she vanished.
- Precious Mor Mthembu, 23, vanished from Orange Farm around August 2026. Her children and grandmother await news as Missing Persons South Africa seeks leads.
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Source: Briefly News
