"I Left When She Was an Infant": Woman Reunites with Baby After Army Service

• A South African woman went viral after reuniting with her toddler, whom she left at six months old to join the army
• The video went viral on TikTok, amassing thousands of likes within two days as netizens shared their emotional reactions
• Her tearful embrace with her child captured the sacrifices of service and the resilience of parental love

South Africans were moved by a viral TikTok showing a woman’s tearful reunion with her child after years away serving in the army.

A South African woman and TikTok user @nteboheng posted a deeply emotional video on 20 September 2025 showing her reunion with her child. She had left home when her baby was just six months old to serve in the army, and now, years later, she returned to embrace her toddler. The video quickly went viral, gaining more than 55,000 likes within two days as netizens shared how touched they were by the emotional moment.

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In the clip, the woman is seen breaking down in tears as she hugs her little one tightly. The child, now a toddler, responded warmly to the reunion, leaving viewers emotional. Her caption added to the intensity of the moment and captured the hearts of many across the platform. She wrote:

“This one is not for the faint-hearted.”

Emotional reunion touches Mzansi

The post struck a chord with audiences because of its raw emotion and relatability. Many viewers shared their own experiences of separation from loved ones due to work, migration, or other circumstances. For parents especially, the video highlighted the sacrifices that sometimes come with duty and service.

The reunion became a symbol of resilience and love, reminding people of the powerful bond between parents and children. For @nteboheng, the viral response showed that her personal moment resonated widely, turning her story into one that united thousands online through empathy and shared emotion.

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Mzansi reacted to the video

Flora Sibanda wrote:

"And her biggest flex as she grows up will be 'Mina mamami is a soldier'. ♥️"

BossMovesByZile said:

"Lapho u girl u confused lomuntu omkhalelayo ubani nje. 😩❤"

T wrote:

"I was there to see my daughter, we saw you, wow, mama, you're doing your best. 🥰🥰"

Sesi wa inuka commented:

"Everything u were doing for her, my darling, I'm crying too."

Ezinhle said:

"Lapho akakufun lo omkhalelayo umangele. 😁"

Isani wrote:

"You're making us cry at work, wena mama."

Busi commented: "

"The biggest reason is that you're doing it for her. 🥺"

AmilerH Mbhele said:

"Lapho ubusy uyatefa umosha inyembezi zakho for your baby. 👶 Yena uyandiza ufuna uhamba aye kwabaziyo. ♥️🤣🤣 Welcome back, my love. 💓 Lapho ave ngthanda ukuba yisosha. ❤️😍"

Check out the TikTok video below:

3 other Briefly News stories related to the army

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• A woman almost got her little sister in trouble after roasting her during an intense recital in the army.
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• A lady proudly shared her milestone of joining the US Army, sparking excitement and curiosity online.

Source: Briefly News