Johannesburg - “It has been a year, a long and difficult year, but we are grateful that our Annelise’s body is finally home. We can find closure now.”
These were the words of an emotional Filda MacDonald, whose daughter, Annelise Ukeje, died in Nigeria last July after falling ill. Annelise’s remains arrived back in South Africa on Friday night and were released to the family on Sunday morning.
Following her death last year, the family, who live in Westbury, Joburg, didn't have the R40 000 needed to bring back her remains.
Together with community radio station Kofifi FM and community members, the funds were eventually raised.
The MacDonald family were emotional on Sunday as they spoke of their relief.
“The hardest part is finally over, it’s behind us,” said Annelise’s elder sister Natasha.
“We just need the strength to get through the next week as we arrange for her burial on Saturday. It’s sad and still very painful for all of us,” she said.
Natasha’s sister-in-law Beatrice Ozechi, who lives in Lagos, escorted the body home.
Ozechi said her husband Alfonso had facilitated everything from the Nigerian side.
“I just helped to bring the body back; he was the one continuously working with the authorities and was doing all the liaising.
“On Friday, he took on the task to get the body to the airport. It took four-and-a-half hours, and luckily he got there as I was checking in. She was our family, the MacDonalds are our family and we would do anything for them because they are family.”
Natasha added that if it weren't for the Ozechis, they didn't know what would’ve happened to Annelise’s remains. “There were times we thought we’d have to throw in the towel. We will never forget her,” Natasha said.
Filda said her daughter married a Nigerian man who fell ill and died in 2009 while she was pregnant with their third child.
“She went there to bury him, stayed for a month and came home. Then, in 2010, her in-laws (the Ukejes) invited her to come back. She took the children with her and stayed there,” she said.
Problems developed between Annelise and her in-laws.
“She called to tell me they were treating her badly. From 2013, I tried to get her home but we didn’t have the money. She tried to leave the Ukejes many times but they always made it hard for her, and stopped her from taking her two older children with her.
“After trying to find a place to live for a month, a pastor took her in in January last year, and she stayed there until she went to hospital in July, where she died,” Filda said.
The family said that once Annelise was buried, they would begin the difficult task of getting her children back from Nigeria.
“We are thankful to Kofifi FM, The Star, Pastor Favour and our entire community who took this task on and did everything they could to help us,” said Filda and Natasha.
@lanc_02
The Star