Amanda’s heartbroken parents still without justice a year later

On April 14 last year, Sharmain Lightfoot of Atlasville excitedly zipped out of the office to collect a special present for her daughter’s 19th birthday.

Heading back on the highway with a specialised microphone stand on her back seat, Sharmain received a call that would shatter her world.

Her daughter Amanda, a vibrant beauty student, had been stabbed and killed just after 13:00 on Windermere Drive, Farrarmere.

At the time, initial information from the Benoni Police Station spokesperson Captain Nomsa Sekele indicated that the young victim was waiting in a parked vehicle outside her boyfriend’s workplace when the unknown man approached her.

It was suspected that he was attempting to steal her cellphone.

A case of murder was opened, and to date, no arrests had been made.

Sitting in their lounge with the rain gently falling outside, Sharmain and Herman comfort each other as they fondly recall memories of their beloved hoendertjie (little chicken), Amanda’s nickname.

“Every day of Amanda‘s life was a miracle,” said Sharmain.

“During my first trimester, I was put on bed rest, and the threat of miscarriage was ever-present. Even at birth, the doctors had to fight to keep Amanda alive, but through the grace of God, we were blessed with nearly 19 years with her.”

As the first anniversary of her death, merely three days before what would have been her 20th birthday, approaches, Herman said her absence has left a consuming void in their lives.

“She was the gentlest person in the world. Amanda was a friend to anyone and would go out of her way to make everyone feel included and loved,” said Herman.

“The world is poorer for not having her in it.”

Fighting through the tears, Sharmain explained that Amanda’s greatest desire was to be baptised on her birthday because it coincided with Easter Sunday.

Due to the public holidays, they decided she would devote her life and soul to the work of God the following weekend.

“I was making her a baptism dress, praying over every stitch for my daughter,” she said.

The day before her untimely death, the teen finally got the opportunity to try on her custom-made dress.

“I walked into the room and just watched as she stood in front of the mirror, her blonde hair flowing over her shoulders. She looked like an angel,” Sharmain said.

“She kept saying, ‘Mommy, it is so pretty’. She was over the moon. “It took me weeks to finally finish the dress after her death. I hung it in her cupboard.”

Her room is still how she left it on the morning of that fateful day. Sharmain and Herman simply put her birthday presents, which will remain unopened, on her bed.

“Amanda was a fantastic vocalist and was often asked to sing in church during special sermons,” said Herman.

“She was in the process of recording her songs. Amanda loved to sing gospel.”

With a smile, Sharmain said that when she was not studying or singing, Amanda would invade the kitchen, baking and whipping up mountains of sweet delights.

“Coming up the driveway, you would just smell freshly-baked muffins. Then you knew Amanda was busy again. It is just cruel that she was ripped from our lives, and to date, there has been no justice.”

Herman says throughout this past year, he and Sharmain have had to face their worst fear daily – life without Amanda in it.

“All we have to carry us through is God,” said Herman.

“We hang onto our faith as it is our only lifeline.”

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