The paternal grandmother of Zephany Nurse says the family had never wavered in their faith that she would return to them.
The face of Zephra Nurse, after whom Zephany was named, lit up when she told the Plainsman the meaning of her granddaughter’s name: “God’s hidden treasure”.
Twenty-two years ago, on April 30 1997, Zephany, born at Groote Schuur Hospital to Celeste and Morné Nurse, was taken from her mother’s side when she was just three days old.
Last week, after having had her identity protected by a court order since she was found in February 2015, Zephany's identity was revealed as Miché Solomon, the name given to her kidnapper Levona Solomon.
Zephany Nurse comes out as Miche Solomon. Picture supplied
A day later, Zephany Two mothers. One daughter, penned by Joanne Jowell, was released and since then the Nurses, who live in Rocklands, have been inundated with requests for interviews, which they have refused.
The mother of two had since revealed that she now goes by the name Miché-Zephany Solomon.
Miché-Zephany said in her book - the Bible - God says he would start and complete his work.
“And it is a good work,” she said, relating the verse from the book of Philippians, verses one to six, to the story of Zephany.
Grandfather Adam Nurse said Zephany’s story should be an encouragement to Mitchell’s Plain and the broader community to have faith.
Zephra said Zephany was a strong woman, “whom the Lord had made”.
The ouma said they never wanted to move from the house, where they had raised their children, prepared Zephany’s nursery and believed that she would be returned to their door.
Zephany Nurse's paternal grandmother, Zephra Nurse. Photographer: Armand Hough
During Celeste’s pregnancy the couple had lived at the Nurse family home where the grandparents kitted out the baby’s room.
“The baby’s cot and everything. It was blue, and blue is nice for a girl too, with green and yellow,” said Zephra.
“Zephany is the only child with green eyes just like Morné,” she said.
Ms Nurse recalled her son’s joy the day Zephany was born.
“Morné said to me ‘Mummy ek het die mooiste kind in die hele wêreld’ en ek dink elke pa sê daai. Daai kind het blonde streaks aan die punte van haar hare,” she said.
Celeste and Morné Nurse at court.
She had suggested he get a camera and take photographs of the child.
Only the day after Zephany’s birth did Morné get to take the photographs, which then had to be used to help find the kidnapped baby a day later.
Ms Nurse recalls how, on that day, her son raced from his workplace, in Diep River, to Groote Schuur Hospital, and was pulled over by traffic police.
“He was sobbing when the police asked him why he was speeding.
“‘My kind is gesteel’, sê hy vir hulle. Toe maak hulle vir hom die pad oop,” said Ms Nurse.
“You know what that child went through that day, Morné?
“You know what Celeste went through? Celeste, when the nurse woke her up to ask her where’s her baby, she ran up and down the hospital with drips hanging and blood gushing from her arms,” she said.
The Nurse family held a party for their missing daughter every year. Picture: David Ritchie
Zephra said after Celeste returned home, she would at times run to the gate because she thought she heard a baby crying and thought it may be her stolen child.
Adam said: “This happening with Zephany is a world-shaking story. Now that is how great God is and we never gave up for 18 years. Each year we gave a party to celebrate her life and we would pray and trust God that she would return.”