Long-lost family reunited after 50-years
Cape Town - It was a momentous occasion for the family of a 69-year-old woman who believed she died after she was estranged and missing for more than 50 years, as they have finally been reunited.
This was thanks to the efforts of missing persons organisation, Track n Trace, who used their resources and social media to trace the family of Katriena “Meisiekind” Tieties.
Tieties, originally from Prieska, left home at the age of 18 and found a life in Mitchell’s Plain’s “The Farm”.
Her relatives believed she was missing and passed away, but were surprised and relieved to have received a Facebook post last week, searching for her family.
Tieties’s siblings and parents have since passed away.
Chaz Thomas from Track n Trace said they were determined to find her family, and were pleased it had a happy ending.
“The year began on a positive note as we managed to trace her family within three hours and had made a post on a Facebook page for the Northern Cape.
“She has not been in contact with her family for about 53 years and we appreciate Track n Trace members for always being willing to help despite receiving no payment, as this is a voluntary initiative.
“Katriena lived with a family in Mitchell’s Plain, The Farm.”
Thomas explained that a neighbour of Tieties, who was married to one of her relatives, had recognised her via the photograph shared on Facebook.
A neighbour of hers in Prieska, Yvonne Phila Van Staden, said her family was relieved that she was alive.
“I have known Katriena since she was a child and I live opposite her family and we called her Meisiekind,” she explained.
“They lived in 18de Straat, most of her family passed on such as mother, brothers and sisters and there is only a grandchild left behind and another in Johannesburg.
“She has been away from the house for such a long time, that we believed that she had passed away.
“The family is welcoming her back home with open arms because they have been searching for her for years.
“The family will be visiting the Western Cape to see her and take her back home.”
Tieties has since declined to be interviewed.
Her landlord, Dianne Koelman, confirmed she was eager to be reunited with her family and appreciated the assistance of Track n Trace.