A Durban mother whose daughter is among six South African pilgrims missing after devastating floods in Nepal has launched a social media campaign to raise international awareness and demand answers from authorities.
The initiative, Global Voices for the Missing, was established by Govender after she expressed frustration over what she described as a lack of direct communication from authorities following reports that search-and-rescue operations for the missing pilgrims had ended.
Govender said she learnt about the reported conclusion of the operations through news reports and social media rather than being informed directly.
“I found out through the news and social media that the search and rescue operation in Nepal had reportedly ended. No one contacted me directly to tell me,” she said.
She added that she had emailed South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) several times seeking assistance and clarification but had not received a response.
“As a mother desperately seeking answers, that silence has been extremely difficult,” Govender said.
Her 34-year-old daughter, Terricia, is among six South Africans who have been missing since the floods on August 26.
The other missing pilgrims are Barika Ramjee, 43; Vivaganathan Pillay, 66, and his wife, Janet, 56; as well as Surendranath Maharaj, 74, and his wife, Anitha, 67.
Govender said she wanted clarity on whether Nepalese authorities had formally informed the relevant embassies about the conclusion of search operations, whether the affected families had been contacted directly, and what steps would follow in the unresolved missing-person cases.
“Our campaign is about visibility, accountability, communication and answers. The conclusion of active search operations must not mean the end of attention to those who remain missing or the families still waiting for clarity,” she said.
The campaign aims to unite families across borders, share verified information and encourage cooperation between governments and relevant authorities.
Govender stressed that the initiative was not intended to spread rumours but to ensure that the missing pilgrims and their families were not forgotten.
Last week, the Nepalese government announced that the legal waiting period for declaring people missing after the floods dead had been reduced from 12 years to 45 days.
More than 1,400 people have been confirmed dead, while more than 5,600 remain missing following the floods.
Govender said families should receive direct communication, meaningful updates and appropriate follow-up on unresolved cases, rather than having to rely on media reports and social media posts for information about their loved ones.
“I am Terricia’s mother. I will continue to speak out for my daughter and stand alongside every family facing this unimaginable uncertainty,” she said.
As part of the campaign, members of the public are being encouraged to record short videos expressing support for the missing pilgrims and their families.
Participants have been asked to upload videos lasting between 15 and 20 seconds on Saturday, October 17, to help raise international awareness of the six missing South Africans.
Terricia’s 84-year-old grandfather, Krish Govender, has also joined the campaign, expressing the family’s continued hope and prayers for the missing pilgrims.
“Every missing person matters and every family deserves answers. Please stand with us as one united voice,” he said.
Govender said the campaign would continue to call for answers and accountability, emphasising that the end of search operations did not end the families’ need for clarity.
“Our loved ones are still missing. Our families are still waiting. Their stories must not be forgotten. The search may have stopped. The questions have not,” she said.
Based on reporting by IOL News