‘I had no idea when it would end’
Stephen McGown returned to South Africa last week after spending six years as a hostage in Mali.
At a press conference in Johannesburg on Thursday, an emotional but visibly happy McGown — long hair and unkempt beard not yet cut — thanked everyone involved in securing his release.
McGown said he was held by an alQaeda-affiliated group in the Sahara desert in northern Mali. He was moved to a different camp every two months and was never allowed to forget that he was a prisoner.
“I was in the dark with absolutely everything. I had no idea when things would come to an end or how my family was,” he said.
“I was looked after very well. I had clothes; I had food. When I was ill they would bring medication — limited medication, but Panado and things along those lines. And I would make the best of the situation. I would try and joke and get along. But you always knew you were a prisoner; if you ask one too many questions, you get put back in your place.”
Although not mistreated, McGown did fear for his life on several occasions and constantly worried about his health. He exercised to keep fit and stay sane. “Exercise was important. I would do star jumps. I’ve got upper back problems, lower back problems, and this would play up throughout. Exercise was also good to distract myself.’’
Since his return, McGown has spent several days in hospital with a fever and headaches, but is recovering. He has also been catching up on the news he missed while in captivity. “George Michael died? I didn’t know that.”
He’s not sure if he’s going to keep the beard. “Everybody seems to be growing beards these days, so maybe I’ll fit in fine.”