DESPERATE TO RETURN HOME
SA mother wants to return to her baby and husband in Bahrain
A GROUP of South Africans are desperately trying to return to their family and work in the Middle East.
More than 100 South Africans, who live in Saudi Arabia, had been in the country when international borders closed and the country went into lockdown in March.
Among those is Wajieda
Ahmed, who wants to return to her 18-month-old daughter, Talia, and husband in Bahrain.
“I arrived in South Africa on March 1 to renew my passport. I had planned to stay a week until the passport was ready.
“Unfortunately, there were delays and by the time it was issued the borders closed and we went into lockdown.
“It breaks my heart every day knowing I can’t hold my baby. I was still breastfeeding her. She is now not eating properly and her behaviour had changed,” she said.
Ahmed, 38, who is married to an Egyptian national, said she also couldn’t get her child and husband to come to South Africa because no foreign nationals are allowed into the country during lockdown.
She said if it goes on for longer she could lose her job as operations manager of a spa.
Ahmed lived in Dubai before moving to Bahrain seven years ago. She was going to move to Saudi Arabia on her return home.
“I email the various relevant government departments daily seeking assistance and answers, but there has been no news.
“I even started a petition calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to allow South Africans who live abroad to return home,” said Ahmed, who has been living with her brother and his family in Cape Town.
Ahmed would also miss Eid with her baby and husband.
Meanwhile, Ahmed Arbee, who came to South Africa to visit his mother, says he and his family have been stuck here for the past few months.
“We are seeking permission from government to allow us to leave the country and to assist us in reaching out to the Saudi Arabian government on our behalf.
“I had two children who were left alone in Jeddah. We managed to get them here. They arrived two weeks ago and had to go into quarantine in Joburg. It was traumatic for them,” he said.
They have been living with relatives in Reservoir Hills in Durban for 10 weeks.
“I work for a bank and have been able to work remotely but others who have been unable to could lose their jobs.
“We are prepared to pay for our travel costs. We just want permission to leave,” he said.
Also frantic to return is Marlene Pennells, whose three daughters are in Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.
Pennells, from Muldersdrift in Gauteng, came home nine weeks ago to sort out some personal matters.
“I am here unable to earn a salary and support my daughters there. We have been living there for eight years and that is home now. It gets harder every day not knowing when I will be able to leave,” said Pennells.
The Department of International Relations and Co-operation referred enquiries to the Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Department, which at the time of publication had not responded.