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Charity Mathema
IN an emotional but rather heart-warming turn of events, a 28-year-old woman from Bulawayo has finally reunited with her long-lost father after an arduous search spanning nearly three decades.
The emotional reunion and tear-jerking moment came about after B-Metro published the woman’s story and shared it on its social media platforms which eventually led to a breakthrough.
Raised by a mother who passed away on 25 December 2000 and without revealing his identity, Nomazulu Ndlovu who had no idea whether her father was still alive, opened up to B-Metro about the hardships she has faced and the profound impact of growing up without a father figure.
Nomazulu had been living her entire life without any knowledge of her father Owen Mugadza.
With no photographs, name, or whereabouts of her father, she only possessed the name of her late mother Sinikiwe Cynthia Ndlovu.
Determined to find her missing father she always longed to meet, she reached out to B-Metro, hoping that its wide readership could help her in her quest.
Weeks after the article was published, Nomazulu received an unexpected message from someone claiming to have knowledge of her father. The messenger turned out to be a close friend of her father, who had known the couple during their youthful years.
Her father’s friend, Takemore Mutanga, revealed that he knew her father’s whereabouts and promptly provided her with his contact details.
“When I read the article, the striking resemblance that Nomazulu and her father share was what convinced me that for sure she was Mugadza’s long lost daughter.
“I knew her parents when they were still dating to the point when Nomazulu was born.
“So when I saw her mother’s name (Sinikiwe) and that they used to stay in Entumbane I had no doubt and quickly called the number which was provided on the article and told her that I knew who her father was.
“Mugadza had also been searching for her daughter and I have lost count of how many times we went to Entumbane in search of her and her mother but we could not find them,” said Mutanga.
Overjoyed by this newfound lead, Nomazulu wasted no time in reaching out to her father.
The initial conversation was filled with emotions as they caught up on the lost years.
The father, Mugadza, who stays in Rusape, admitted that he had always known about his daughter but had lost contact with her mother.
Last week, just before the long-awaited reunion, the B-Metro crew was present to capture the heartwarming moment.
Nomazulu anxiously awaited the arrival of her father. As he walked towards her, tears of joy streamed down their faces, and they embraced each other tightly, finally closing the gap of 28 years.
In an interview soon after the emotional reunion, Mugadza expressed his happiness at being reunited with his daughter.
He revealed that he had often wondered about her well-being and had yearned to be a part of her life.
He expressed regret for the lost years but promised to make up for lost time and build a strong bond with his daughter.
“Her mother and I had a misunderstanding that led to our break-up. I had moved to Harare Polytechnic to further my studies and when I got back to Bulawayo I went to Entumbane where they were staying to look for them but could not find them.
“I tried so hard locating them but it was all in vain. I’m happy we have finally reconciled and my greatest wish now is that she can come to Rusape so she can meet the rest of the family members and we perform the welcome ceremony in line with our family tradition and custom.
“I’m very happy now and if I can just have one bottle of lager I will be settled,” said an elated Mugadza.
Nomazulu, overwhelmed with emotions, expressed her gratitude to B-Metro for sharing her story and ultimately leading to the reunion.
She thanked Mutanga who played a pivotal role in connecting her with her father, emphasizing the importance of community support in such situations.
“B-Metro was not the first that I approached for help. I went to several individuals and companies but because I had no name, surname or my father’s picture, I was told that it was very difficult to find my dad.
“Some needed me to pay them before I could be helped. I have been taken for granted by almost everyone because I had no one, I did not even have value in people’s lives and everyone could do anything they wanted because I had no one to protect me,” said Nomazulu with tears rolling down her cheeks.
Despite the pain, there were also feelings of relief because she finally knew who she was.
She adds: “I’m very happy that I have met my father and now I can find peace. As much as he was not there in my life I want to do everything for him and receive parental blessings.
“I want my father to help me change my surname and age. I was born in 1998 and not 95 but because of the need for a national identity card I had to change my age.”
As this heartwarming story unfolds, the father and daughter are now looking forward to creating new memories together and making up for the lost time.
Their reunion serves as a reminder that love and determination can overcome even the longest of separations.
Siphakeme .Mnindwa
mbulelo smpofu
