Tanzanian boy reunites with family after 10-year ordeal  

In a display of government intervention and cross-border collaboration, the Gauteng Department of Social Development (GDSD) secured a court order to repatriate and reunite 13-year-old Joel Khumalo Magembe with his family in Tanzania, marking the end of a decade-long separation.

On Thursday, the Nigel Magistrate’s Court in the Eastern Corridor granted the Department’s request for Joel’s repatriation and reunification.

Magistrate Kovilan Archery delivered the outcome in the presence of the social workers handling his case, Dimakatso Matshomo and Simangele Ntshangase.

Joel, who arrived in SA at three years old, had lived in vulnerable conditions after his grandmother, his only guardian at the time, died.

After her death, he was in the care of unrelated adults who neither ensured his education nor protected his well-being.
Fortunately, he was rescued and placed in the care of the DSD’s child protection services.

“We traced his family through people who had known his grandmother. That is why I love my job: reuniting children with their families,” said Matshomo.

Joel will fly to Tanzania on 18 May, accompanied by an official from the Tanzanian Embassy. A critical step in the reunification was confirming Joel’s biological connection with his father, Bryan Bitiningo Magembe.

The Tanzanian High Commission facilitated DNA testing by arranging for Joel’s father to travel to SA, covering all the associated costs.

The results confirmed their relationship, paving the way for Joel’s return home. Matshomo and Ntshangase highlighted the collaboration and teamwork that made this outcome possible.

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“This wasn’t an easy journey. But with the support of all departments involved, we fulfilled our mission. Joel has endured a great deal, but we’ve supported him every step of the way, and now, he’s smiling,” said Ntshangase.

When asked how he felt about finally returning to Tanzania, Joel beamed with excitement.

“I’m looking forward to seeing my family. But one day, I’d like to return to SA. I love speaking isiZulu and engaging with people in different languages,” he laughed.

“In Tanzania, we speak Swahili, but I won’t forget isiZulu and the other SA languages I’ve learnt.”

This story highlights the DSD’s commitment to child protection, cross-border family tracing and restoring dignity to vulnerable children. A young boy’s dream of belonging was finally realised through relentless effort and caring support.

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