Ladysmith has been left reeling as families and residents anxiously await news of four well-known members of the community who remain missing after the devastating floods and mudslides in Nepal earlier this week.

The four residents are Surendranath Maharaj, Anitha Devi Maharaj, Vivaganthan Pillay and Janett Pillay, who were reportedly on a pilgrimage in Nepal when the disaster struck.

The two couples were travelling as part of a bus tour with other devotees from the United Kingdom and Ireland.

For their families back home, the wait for news has become an agonising one.

Families still waiting for contact

A family member’s daughter said they had still not been able to make contact with their loved ones and were waiting anxiously for further information.

The uncertainty has left the families with little choice but to wait and hope for good news.

Across Ladysmith, concern has grown as residents pray for the safe return of the four missing community members.

The townsfolk are holding the families in their thoughts and prayers during what is an extremely painful and uncertain time.

KZN stands with affected families

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport & Human Settlements Siboniso Duma said the province stands with the affected families as they face what he described as an extremely difficult period.

“First and foremost, as the people of KwaZulu-Natal, we must pray for the families of six KZN residents, from Isipingo and Ladysmith, who disappeared following devastating floods in Nepal,” Duma said.

Duma acknowledged the deep trauma being experienced by the families, saying it could take years to heal.

He also expressed hope that support from KwaZulu-Natal residents, non-governmental organisations and the South African government would help the families through the ordeal.

Officials liaising with DIRCO

Duma said that, in his capacity as leader of government business, he had assigned officials to liaise with the Department of International Relations & Co-operation (DIRCO).

The aim, he said, was to ensure that communication between the department and the affected families was maintained.

“We are hopeful that the support being offered by the people of KwaZulu-Natal, non-governmental organisations and the South African government will give them enough strength and courage to tide over this storm,” he said.

A community holding on to hope

For Ladysmith, the disappearance of the four residents has brought a deep sense of sadness and uncertainty.

As their families wait for answers, the wider community continues to hope and pray for news of Surendranath and Anitha Maharaj, and Vivaganthan and Janett Pillay.

For now, there are no answers, only an anxious wait, and a community hoping that the next update will bring the news everyone is praying for.

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