Nepal Floods: Durban Mother and Daughter Return Home As 6 South Africans Remain Missing
- A Durban mother and daughter arrived home safely after surviving the deadly Nepal floods that left several South African pilgrims unaccounted for
- The two women credited the Monji International Foundation with securing their safe passage across the border and back to South Africa
- The pair planned to visit Ms Govinder, a family member of a pilgrim still missing in Nepal, bringing holy water from Lake Manasarova
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Source: Getty Images
Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.
DURBAN — A Durban mother and daughter who survived the devastating Nepal floods have returned to South Africa, describing their homecoming as a deeply emotional experience marked by both relief and grief for those still unaccounted for.
Sulosh and Keshnie Pillay, who had been on a spiritual pilgrimage to Nepal, spoke to eNCA on 3 September from their home in Durban, where they reflected on the harrowing experience of escaping the disaster zone while others were left behind.
Gratitude tempered by grief
Keshnie told eNCA that the pair could not fully separate their own relief from the anguish weighing on six South African families still waiting for news of missing loved ones.
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"There is that feeling of gratitude and hope and just a renewed life. However, our hearts really do go out to the families because we know what it took to undertake this pilgrimage," she said.
She credited the Monji International Foundation for helping them cross the border and return safely to South Africa, describing the journey out of Nepal as physically and emotionally gruelling.
Sulosh spoke warmly of the Nepali people, describing them as a deeply hospitable community that had welcomed the South African pilgrims into their homes during the crisis.
"They ooze with absolute love, unconditional love, and they open their homes, they open their hearts," she said.
Visit to Govender family planned
Following the interview, the two women confirmed they intended to visit Mr Govender, the mother of one of the South African pilgrims still missing in Nepal.
South Africans following the story responded with messages of gratitude and prayer for those still missing.
Surehena Kalijee wrote:
"Thank God you are safe. Praying for the others."
Philly Dlamini added:
"They're so lucky to be alive. God bless them."
Serina Goliath commented:
"Thank you, Lord, for your love and protection over this lady and for being with her ever. Let us pray and remember the rest who are still struggling."
Shalene Gobind said:
"Blessings to those who are safe, and to those still searching for loved ones, stay strong; blessings to all for safe returns home."
Gift of the Givers confirms that Sulosh Pillay is safe
Gift of the Givers confirmed that South African Sulosh Pillay is safe at a retreat in Tibet following catastrophic Nepal-Tibet border floods.
Sulosh is one of seven South Africans found safe, but six others from the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage route remain unaccounted for.
Briefly News reported that Gift of the Givers had an 11-member search and rescue team on standby as families of the missing wait for news.
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Source: Briefly News
