The dying wish of an Eastern Cape woman whose son was kidnapped by his Egyptian father when he was just five years old, 12 years ago, was to see and hold him just one last time.
As the years went by, Baranese Orif, 56, never gave up hope of one day finding her son, Mohamed, and held firm that he was still alive.
In a miraculous turn of events, Baranese recently located a now 18-year-old Mohamed in Egypt and plans were afoot for mother and son to spend Christmas together in George this year.
This plan, however, will never materialise, as Baranese lost her battle with breast cancer two weeks ago.
The kidnapping
News of Mohamed's kidnapping made headlines in 2011. At the time, he was 5 years old and in Gr R.
Mohamed travelled to Gqeberha from George with his sister, Taryn Booysen, (who was in her early 20s) to visit his Dad, Ibrahim, during the July school holidays.
His parents had been separated and he regularly visited Ibrahim in Gqeberha.
On Ibrahim's request, Mohamed stayed in Gqeberha for another week, but when the time came for him to return home, he never arrived.
The family later established that Ibrahim left the country with his son on 15 August 2011, using an alleged fraudulent visa.
Baranese's signature on their travel documents had also been forged.
Years of searching
The family reported the matter to the relevant authorities and desperately searched for Mohamed as time went by.
The search, among others, involved reaching out to police, Home Affairs, the South African Embassy in Egypt, the International Relations and Cooperation Department, lawyers, the media, and acquaintances and friends in Egypt, but to no avail.
The family kept searching, and would often find clues as to his whereabouts, but the trail would run cold.
They kept searching, even when the case was considered closed by police.
Glimmer of Hope
Booysen told Algoa FM News that her mother had received a call from Ibrahim's friend about a year ago, enquiring about Mohamed's whereabouts.
"I believe he tested my mother on behalf of Ibrahim to make sure that she would not contact the authorities when she found out where they were.
"She assured him that she would not contact the police, her only goal was to speak to her son."
The phone call
A day later, Mohamed phoned his mother via video call.
Booysen said Baranese described that moment as a "miracle".
"Years of tears, worry, anguish, and stress vanished when they finally spoke.
"It was a huge moment. Our entire family's prayers had been answered," said Booysen.
Even though Mohammed speaks mostly Arabic, they kept in contact, using Ibrahim to translate.
Unanswered Questions
According to Booysen, the family has yet to deal with the difficult questions.
"Not once since he made contact had Ibrahim ever apologised to my mother for what he has done. He acts as if nothing happened.
"When Mohamed calls, his father is always present."
The cancer diagnosis
In February this year, Baranese was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Six months ago when her health took a turn for the worst, attempts were made for Mohamed to obtain a passport to visit.
Booysen said this failed. Long waiting periods, expenses, and the raging Israeli and Palestine war all hindered the process.
Baranese loses her battle
Baranese passed away on 28 November.
Booysen said Mohamed last spoke to his mother, two days before her death.
He watched his South African family members lay his mother to rest via live streaming.
"My mother never realised her dying wish, which was to hold her son, just one last time," said Booysen.
The way forward
Booysen said that she would keep in contact with her brother and that they hoped and prayed that they could one day meet again in person so she could hug him on behalf of their mother.
