It was a sombre Sunday (August 30) in Ladysmith as residents of different faiths came together in a powerful display of unity, prayer and hope for six South Africans still missing after the devastating floods and mudslides in Nepal.

An interfaith prayer gathering, held along Azalea Drive opposite the Ganesha Temple, brought together religious leaders, community members, families and local leaders in a united plea for the safe return of the missing South Africans.

Four Ladysmith residents among the missing

Four of those missing are from Ladysmith, namely Surendranath Maharaj, Anitha Devi Maharaj, Vivaganathan ‘Tony’ Pillay and Janet Pillay. They were in Nepal on a pilgrimage when disaster struck near the Nepal-Tibet border.

The other two missing South Africans are Bhavika Ramjee from the Eastern Cape and Terricia Govender from Isipingo.

Families stand together in hope

Among those at Sunday’s prayer were Tony Pillay’s four daughters, who stood with the community as prayers were offered for the safe return of their father and mother, and the other missing South Africans.

The gathering was a deeply emotional reminder that behind the names of the missing are families, friends and a community anxiously awaiting news.

‘Valued members of the community’

Ward 20 Councillor Abbas Warasally, who attended the prayer, described the four Ladysmith residents as valued members of the community.

“These four individuals are not strangers to us. They are parents, grandparents, relatives, friends, neighbours and valued members of our community,” he said.

“Their families are part of our greater Ladysmith family – and the fear, pain and uncertainty they are experiencing is shared by us all.”

Warasally acknowledged the anguish of the families as they wait for news of their loved ones, thousands of kilometres away.

He called for continued prayers for the missing, their families and the search & rescue teams working to locate them.

“We pray that the search & rescue teams are guided to them, that every available resource is used, and that Surendranath and Anitha Maharaj, together with Tony and Janet Pillay, are safely reunited with their loved ones.”

A sacred journey

The four Ladysmith residents had travelled to Nepal for the Mount Kailash pilgrimage, a sacred journey undertaken by devotees as an expression of faith and devotion.

“They embarked upon this pilgrimage with prayer in their hearts, and today we surround them with the prayers of an entire community,” Warasally said.

A Ladysmith prayer

The prayer brought together Hindus, Christians, Muslims and people of other faiths, united by a shared concern for the missing South Africans and their families.

Prayer organiser Emmo Govender summed up the significance of the gathering in a powerful message.

“This is not a Hindu prayer. Not a Christian prayer. Not a Muslim prayer. This is a Ladysmith prayer. A human prayer,” Govender said.

“We are here for two reasons. One is a collective wave of hope, of energy, of prayer, across the mountains of Nepal-Tibet, that our two sons and four daughters of South Africa be returned safely to us and their families.”

‘You are not waiting alone’

His second message was directed at the families enduring the agonising wait.

“You are not waiting alone. Ladysmith is waiting with you.”

Prayers were also offered for the people of Nepal affected by the floods and mudslides, as well as for strength and comfort for the families of all six missing South Africans.

Warasally urged the community to continue supporting the families and to share only verified information while the search continues.

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