"I can't eat any food knowing that my child is hungry. I don't even know if she has clothes to wear in prison," said Honjiswa Mbewu, the mother of 23-year-old Nolubabalo "Babsie" Nobanda, who was arrested on drug-trafficking charges in Thailand on Monday.
"I can't eat any food knowing that my child is hungry. I don't even know if she has clothes to wear in prison," said Honjiswa Mbewu, the mother of 23-year-old Nolubabalo "Babsie" Nobanda, who was arrested on drug-trafficking charges in Thailand on Monday.
Mbewu was speaking to Grocott's Mail at her mother's home in Joza Location yesterday, after news of her daughter's arrest made international headlines.
"I've had sleepless nights from the time I heard the news. I've lost my appetite," she said.
Mbewu first heard of her only daughter's arrest from her brother, Mthetheleli, on Monday. According to Thandy Mbewu, Babsie's aunt, whom she (Babsie) regarded as her mother, Babsie phoned her uncle and told him that she was in trouble in Bangkok.
"Unfortunately the call got disconnected and we had no way of contacting her. The only time we heard about her was when the story was flighted on TV. Even though they did not reveal her name at first, we recognised her face in the photographs," said Thandy.
Babsie's grandmother, Nomandla Mbewu, who had raised her from a young age, said of her granddaughter: "God is going to bring her back. This thing depends on God. I ask God to please prepare for our child to come home.
"She was a lovely child, she was not troublesome at all. She never took anything without asking for permission."
According to Thandy, Babsie performed well at school. "She got brilliant results at VG. She was quiet, but played hockey and was a member of the school's choir. She also studied art for some time."
At the time of her arrest, Babsie was studying towards her Bachelor's degree in Economics. In 2007 she was registered for a BA at Wits University, but could not continue with her studies due to financial constraints.
She then came to Grahamstown, where she worked at her aunt's catering company. Wits University released a statement, distancing the institution from Babsie; however Grocott's Mail saw a written statement dated 2008 from the institution, demanding outstanding funds from Babsie.
Babsie was last seen by her family on 24 November, when she left for Port Elizabeth with a friend who lives in Tantyi.
"We have not heard anything from the other girl. We did not hear anything about her in the media and she has not contacted us," said Thandy.
The family hopes desperately that the Thailand government will not be harsh on their child. Thandy said if Babsie were found guilty and had to spend time in jail, he hoped they would consider allowing her to do time in South Africa, closer to her family.
"We urge the Thailand government to be lenient," he said.
When asked whether she would visit her daughter if she had the opportunity to do so, Mbewa said, "I don't think I'd be able to go there. I'm just imagining how it would be if I see her. I'm trying to imagine how she would react if she sees me there and I have to say goodbye afterwards," before breaking down in tears.
Babsie's arrest has affected the whole family. Her youngest uncle fainted on Tuesday, when he heard the news.
The family do not know whether they will be able to fly to Thailand to visit Babsie, but colleagues at the magistrate's court have opened an account for anyone prepared to help pay for air tickets for the family to visit Babsie in Thailand. Funds can be deposited at Absa Bank: 9205232768.
