The wisdom of Solomon
THE STORY of Zephany Nurse, 17, is a modern-day morality tale, with roots that stretch all the way back to King Solomon. For those unaware of the tale: two women came before the king, reputedly the wisest man in antiquity, to claim parenthood over a baby.
The one mother’s child had died during the night and she had swopped it with the other woman’s child, which was exactly the same age. Neither would concede that the other was the real mother.
Solomon called for a sword to be brought forward, declaring he would cut the baby in two and give each mother half. The true mother would rather her child lived, so she enjoined the king to give the baby to the other woman. The king saw the truth of the situation and instead ordered that the baby be returned to her.
In Zephany’s case, she was stolen when she was three days old from the maternity wing at Cape Town’s Groote Schuur Hospital almost 18 years ago. Her biological parents never gave up hope and celebrated her birthday every year since, as their own family expanded to three other children. Indeed it was only when one of her biological sisters started attending the same school where Zephany is currently in matric that the startling similarities were such to spark a closer look and ultimately a DNA test, which proved the suspicions.
The problem, though, is what should be done with Zephany? The only person she has ever known to be her mother is about to be charged and probably jailed for abduction, while her own biological family have prayed every night for her safe return, but have never known her, nor she them.
The Department off Social Development has placed Zephany into protective custody amid the cacophony of interest, ahead of her return to school to write matric, but it will be her decision and hers alone to which parents she turns.
It is rare that a government department shows such tact, insight and sensitivity.
We commend the officials involved in what can only be one of the most difficult and heart-rending cases of their careers.