Stephen Singhini with Fireman, the dog he will be reunited with in Malawi after being forced to leave South Africa.
Image: Supplied
A Malawian man forced to leave South Africa amid tensions in Sea Vista in the Eastern Cape will soon be reunited with his beloved dog after a fundraising campaign raised enough money to send Fireman, the Africanis, to Malawi.
St Francis Animal Rescue confirmed that sufficient funds have been raised to cover Fireman's flight and transport costs, a specialised travel crate, veterinary expenses, including vaccinations, microchipping and health checks, as well as pet food for the journey.
The organisation is now coordinating the dog's arrival in Lilongwe with owner Stephen Singhini's arrival by bus to ensure the pair are reunited as soon as they reach Malawi.
“This is a critical aspect in the operation and very important that the dog does not have to wait for his owner to arrive,” Susan Rae Fox, chairperson of St Francis Animal Rescue told IOL.
The organisation stepped in when Singhini was heartbroken at the prospect of leaving behind Fireman, his loyal companion of six years in South Africa.
“The owner was both overjoyed and deeply grateful for our assistance in helping to transport his dog to Malawi, where they can be reunited forever. We are sad that the Malawian and his beloved dog have been forced to leave South Africa.”
“This man is an upstanding, gainfully employed member of the community, well-known for being a decent family man with a deep love for animals. We are poorer for the loss of him and his beautiful dog and we will miss them both,” said Fox.
The organisation first met Singhini six years ago when he arrived with a young Africanis puppy needing basic care.
“Volunteers from St Francis Animal Rescue first met Stephen Black Lion Singhini, six years ago, when he brought his Africanis pup to us to be vaccinated, dewormed and treated for fleas and ticks. Like many foreign nationals working in South Africa, Stephen's family, a wife and three children, remained at home in Malawi where the children were educated.”
“Stephen sent money home to Malawi every month, to pay the living expenses of his family. He named his puppy, Fireman, and because he had no other family in South Africa, this dog became his best friend and constant companion. We saw Stephen regularly during the first year of the pup's life, and provided assistance in the form of booster vaccinations, a lead and collar and blankets,” she said.
As Fireman grew older, volunteers saw Singhini less often at outreach programmes, but say he was always happy to wave from his bakkie, with Fireman sitting next to him.
Fox said the organisation was available to help take care of any pets left behind by undocumented illegals from Sea Vista.
“We cannot assist with another flight to repatriate another dog and his owner because of the required investment of time and funds in such an exercise,” she said.
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