After 10 Months, Nyathikazi Family Still Desperately Seeks Mentally Ill Daughter Who Vanished in August 2024

By Zinhle Cele | Missing Person South Africa

Nyathikazi Family’s Search for Answers: “We Just Want to Know She’s Safe”

Nokubonga Nyathikazi left from Kranskop, Entunjambili. In August 2024, she told her family she was going to Mshiyeni Hospital in Umlazi. That was the last time anyone saw or heard from her.

Since then, her phone has remained off, and the silence has grown more painful with each passing day.

The Nyathikazi family is now pleading for the public’s help:

“It’s been nearly a year. We’ve searched everywhere, followed every lead, and still—nothing. All we want is to know she’s alive,” said Zanele her sister, in a quiet but determined voice.

Last Known Movement: A Hospital Visit That Turned Into a Mystery

According to the family, Nokubonga had been experiencing symptoms of mental distress before she left for Mshiyeni Hospital. She never returned.

“She wasn’t herself. Sometimes she’d be forgetful or get overwhelmed,” Zanele explained. “That’s why we’re so worried—she could be vulnerable and in danger without even realizing it.”

The family tried to trace her steps after she disappeared, revisiting the hospital and checking with security personnel. Unfortunately, no one remembers seeing her arrive, and no records confirm her presence.

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A Painful Silence: When a Loved One Goes Missing with No Clues

The Nyathikazi family has faced many dead ends.

“We even tried tracking her cellphone, but it had been switched off that same day,” said her her sister through tears. “We’ve contacted shelters, hospitals, even morgues. We just want our daughter back.”

Despite tireless efforts, the trail has gone cold.

This is not an isolated case. According to Missing Person South Africa, over 3,000 adults go missing each year across the country, many of whom suffer from mental health conditions that make them especially vulnerable.

The Larger Issue: Mental Health and Vulnerability in South Africa

Cases like Nokubonga’s are heartbreaking—and disturbingly common.

Mental health issues are still heavily stigmatized in many communities, especially rural or low-income areas. When combined with a lack of access to healthcare or support systems, the risk of disappearance or harm increases significantly.

“Mental illness doesn’t always look like what people expect,” said clinical social worker Lungi Mthembu. “Someone can be functioning one day and in crisis the next. That’s why early intervention, compassion, and ongoing support are so important.”

What You Can Do: Help Bring Nokubonga Home

If you have seen Nokubonga Nyathikazi or believe you may have information that can help, please reach out immediately. You can remain anonymous.

📍 Last seen: August 2024, en route to Mshiyeni Hospital
👩🏾‍🦱 Description: Medium build, dark complexion, often wears headscarves
📞 Contact:

• Mother: 072 637 4374
• Sister Zanele: 067 240 9520
• Or your nearest police station

Let’s not allow another vulnerable woman to disappear without a trace. Every share matters. Every comment could spark the lead they’ve been waiting for.

Reflections: Could This Happen to Someone You Know?

Do you know someone silently struggling with their mental health? Have you ever had a loved one disappear, even briefly? These stories remind us that behind every missing person case is a family torn apart by fear, uncertainty, and hope.

What can we do as a society to protect those who are most vulnerable?

Let’s start by talking more openly about mental health, checking in on our loved ones, and being alert to those who may be lost or in crisis.

5 Safety Tips to Protect Yourself and Loved Ones

1. ✅ Keep contact details updated — Ensure loved ones have current emergency contacts.
2. 🧠 Mental health matters — Never ignore signs of emotional or psychological distress.
3. 🚨 Set check-in times — Agree on a regular check-in system, especially when someone is traveling or visiting healthcare facilities.
4. 📲 Enable GPS sharing — Use location-sharing apps with trusted family members.
5. 🗣️ Report early — Don’t wait. If something feels off, alert the authorities immediately.

We Need Your Help

Please share this story. You might be the person who helps Nokubonga’s family find peace—or even bring her home.

💬 Comment below: Have you or someone you know experienced a loved one going missing?
🫶 Tag friends and community leaders.
📢 Stay alert and keep your eyes open in public spaces.

To report a missing person, please use the official link below:
🔗 https://missingpersonsa.co.za/report-missing-person-south-africa/

This story was written by Zinhle Cele for Missing Person South Africa.

📧 Email: zinhle.cela@missingpersonsa.co.za
📱 WhatsApp to report a case
🔗 Report a missing person