Donovan Swaffield longs for family reunion
It's been three years since Donovan last saw his family and since then, he's lost all his possessions including his phone and ID.
At the beginning of the Covid-19 lockdown in March, many found themselves going into quarantine with their loved ones.
Many migrated home and bunkered down with those closest to them.
Donovan Swaffield (40), on the other hand, found himself in a homeless shelter in Dundee, being cared for by the state.
It isn’t that he didn’t want to go home, he just didn’t know how to get hold of his family.
It’s been three years since Donovan last saw his family and since then, he’s lost all his possessions, including his phone and ID.
He laments not taking his mother’s advice to memorise her number.
Social workers say they found Donovan living on the streets in a rough part of town known as Ghetto.
The former Hoërskool Dr Johan Jurgens learner says he was born in Springs in 1979 and has four sisters.
To his knowledge, Donovan’s mother, Reinie Petzer, stays with his sister, Melanie Peacock, in Hartebeespoort.
His stepfather, Billie Petzer, stays on Nigel Road in Selcourt.
Growing up, his family owned the Petzer Bakery on Second Street, which was well-known for their wedding and birthday cakes.
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He spent his teenage years in Springs and eventually joined the family business as a salesman.
“After my family’s catering business fell apart, my sisters and I all went our separate ways, looking for work.
“I followed a friend to Ladysmith where he said he had a job lined up for me.
“Unfortunately he died and I haven’t been able to get any meaningful work since.
“I moved from place to place, looking for a real job, and before lockdown I was living on the street,” says Donovan.
He says he has no real skills and left school in Grade 10.
His fervent wish is to get in touch with his family, especially his mother.
“The last time I spoke to her she was very ill.
“I don’t even know if she is still alive.
“I want to talk to my mum, she would never let me stay on the street,” says Donovan.
The social workers in Dundee say if Donovan’s family were to come forward, they would be willing to transport him to them.
If you have any information regarding Donovan’s relatives, contact The Addie on 011 812 4820 or email Siphokazi Zama at siphokaziz@caxton.co.za
Alternatively, contact Busi Zungu from the Department of Social Development in the Umzinyathi District on 082 955 3087.
Also read: Help Child Welfare find these parents
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