A Morningside teenager who went missing six months ago has returned home after taking "a leap of faith."
|||Durban - A Morningside father is relieved at the surprise return of his prodigal son, who disappeared six months ago.
Hugo Mbonambi, 48, had combed the streets of Durban in search of his son, Anton Zwane, 16, who went to the library in early January and did not return.
The Daily News carried a story in April about Mbonambi’s search for his son.
Anton said he had experienced personal setbacks and decided to leave home, “to do God’s work”.
“I had to leave because things were not going right personally. I could not pass Grade 8 for two years and because I was immature and confused, I decided to take a leap of faith,” he said.
During his father’s tireless search for him, there were reports of Anton being spotted loitering on the beachfront, which he denies.
“I left home and went to a taxi rank. After selling my phone, I travelled to Johannesburg. I did not know anyone there, but I managed to get shelter for the night. The next morning I asked someone to show me the nearest church,” Anton said.
“I met a man of God who told me everything that was in my heart. I have been around holy men before so I knew that this was it,” he said.
The “holy man” was Nigerian priest Samson Sangojini of the Celestial Church of Christ Worldwide, who Anton said took him under his wing and guided him on his spiritual journey.
“He treated me like his own son and taught me theology. After I got my deliverance, he registered me at Christian Centre High School,” Anton said.
Mbonambi, who had been worried sick about his son, never stopped believing that he was alive. He said he was grateful to Sangojini for looking after him.
“We have spoken over the phone, but I need to make time to go and say thank you to him personally. He did for my son what I might not be able to do for a child. He paid his school fees, he bought him clothes and he paid for his medical bills.”
Anton returned last week and although he was happy to get his son back, Mbonambi had feared the worst.
“I had a lot on my mind. I thought I would have to budget to send him to a rehabilitation centre, but now I understand that he went for his own personal thing,” he said. “I hope God blesses the holy man and I hope my son can do the same for someone else some day.”
Daily News