Nthabiseng Mnisi is fighting through heartbreak and despair as she seeks to repatriate the body of her beloved daughter, Thobile Tshabalala, who tragically passed away in the United States at the tender age of 27.
Thobile, originally from Zondi, Soweto, died unexpectedly on June 8, 2025, at a hospital in Columbus, Ohio, leaving her family grappling with profound grief and financial strain.
Thobile’s journey to the US began in May 2024, when she moved to work as an au pair, pursuing dreams of a brighter future. However, her path was fraught with challenges, including mental health struggles and job instability.
After parting ways with her host family, she sought refuge briefly with friends in Phoenix, Arizona, before relocating to New Jersey. There, she hoped to save enough money to return home. Tragically, while on a video call with her family, Thobile fell ill, becoming unresponsive during the conversation. The family, left in shock, received the heartbreaking news that she had only hours to live.
The South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) has since stepped in to assist.
Dirco spokesperson Clayson Monyela took to X (formerly Twitter) to inform the public: “We’ve activated our consular team on this case. Government policy dictates that consular assistance is non-financial (this is not unique to South Africa). We are, however, mobilising resources through other means.”
This announcement has provided a glimmer of hope for Nthabiseng and her family, who are desperate to bring their daughter home for a proper farewell.In a heart-wrenching appeal, a South African mother, Nthabiseng, is calling for assistance to repatriate the body of her beloved daughter, who passed away unexpectedly in the United States last week, reports Cape {town} Etc.
The anguish of losing a child is an unimaginable pain, but for Nthabiseng, it has been compounded by the daunting financial burden required to bring her daughter home for a dignified farewell.
Thobile, described by her mother as a “beautiful daughter’ and ‘shining star,” moved to America last year in pursuit of better work opportunities. Tragically, her journey took a devastating turn when she fell ill in April.
After facing challenges in securing stable employment, she (Thobile) found a new job in June. However, on Friday, as she was preparing to start her new role, she collapsed and died, leaving her family in deep grief.
“The pain of losing her is indescribable, but what’s equally unbearable is the financial burden that now weighs me down,” Nthabiseng penned in her Go Fund Me campaign.
She expressed her desperation, saying she feels ’emptiness and helplessness’ as she grappled with the overwhelming costs associated with repatriating her daughter’s remains.
In her heartfelt message, Nthabiseng described the situation as a ‘nightmare’ that has left her feeling crushed by the weight of responsibility.
She is determined to provide Thobile with the dignity she deserves in death, a task that has felt impossible given the staggering expenses involved.
“Every moment feels like an eternity as I struggle to come up with the funds to bring her home, any contribution, big or small, would mean the world to me,” she wrote, calling upon anyone willing to contribute, regardless of the amount, to help her in this time of need.
First published by Cape {town} Etc
Compiled by Sibuliso Duba
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