”Please thank the world for me, for their prayers, and for being with me through this ordeal,” said a relieved Mapeu Leshilo on Tuesday after her seven-year-old son was found after a massive search.
Little Ofentse, who has autism, an illness which makes communication difficult, disappeared from his Berario home on Sunday, sparking a massive search.
Ofentse is the son of the editor of The Sowetan and the Sowetan Sunday World newspapers.
He was found unhurt on Monday night by an emergency services worker, identified as Freddie Swanepoel by The Sowetan, less than a kilometre from his parents’ house in Berario, at the exit of a stormwater drain in the veld.
He was taken for a medical examination and was found to be in perfect health, police said.
”I am feeling very ecstatic — and very blessed to have neighbours and friends and family who were so supportive,” said his mother.
”I have a renewed energy. My daughter said she wanted to go to school today just to give all her friends a big hug for their support.”
Ofentse is now resting at home with his mother.
”He was so worn out and so hungry last night,” she said. – Sapa