BACK WHERE I BELONG
YOU South Africa|8 February 2024
After six years as an AI Qaeda hostage he's finally home. Now Gerco and Shereen van Deventer can start rebuilding their life together 
MEGHAN LAWRENCE
BACK WHERE I BELONG

THE male voice on the other end of the line is familiar. “Babe,” he says. She thinks it’s someone playing a prank and is about to hang up.

“It’s me, babe,” the man says again. “It’s really me.”

For six years Shereen van Deventer has longed to hear her husband Gerco’s voice. Now, here he is, talking to her, telling her that he’s survived and that he’s coming home at last.

In October 2017 he’d travelled to Libya to work as a paramedic. The country was in the midst of civil war at the time and Gerco was aware of the risks, but work is work. The couple had no idea that it was the beginning of a nightmare that would last six years.

Within days of Gerco’s arrival in Libya, Shereen got a call telling her he’d been kidnapped by militants while on his way to work at a power station deep inland. It wasn’t shock she felt when she first heard the terrible news, but rather total disbelief.

She’d just spoken to Gerco the day before and he’d said everything was fine. Before they ended the call she told him how much she loved him – and it was this love that carried her through the next six years, never wavering as she waited for the day he would return home.

Even when it emerged that he’d been sold to Al Qaeda jihadis in Mali who were holding him for ransom, she never gave up hope – and in December last year Shereen’s patience was finally rewarded.

IT’S a scorching day in Swellendam in the Western Cape when a smiling Shereen (40) comes to open the gate for us. Wearing a long black and white dress, she seems different from the woman we met a year ago (YOU, 4 May 2023). It’s as if a mountain has been lifted from her shoulders.

This story is from the 8 February 2024 edition of YOU South Africa.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the 8 February 2024 edition of YOU South Africa.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM YOU SOUTH AFRICAView All
IT'S ALL ABOUT FAMILY
YOU South Africa

IT'S ALL ABOUT FAMILY

Lynn and Kairo Forbes invite us into their home as they prepare for their second Christmas without AKA

time-read
3 mins  |
19 December 2024
DENZEL'S DECADE OF SOBRIETY
YOU South Africa

DENZEL'S DECADE OF SOBRIETY

Expensive wine was his weakness but these days the legendary Hollywood actor is all about clean living

time-read
5 mins  |
19 December 2024
WE DID IT FOR YOU, DAD
YOU South Africa

WE DID IT FOR YOU, DAD

It was a dream come true for Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse when they ran out together for the Boks – but it was bittersweet too

time-read
5 mins  |
19 December 2024
HIP-HOPPING ALONG!
YOU South Africa

HIP-HOPPING ALONG!

Moo Deng, the adorable pygmy hippo, is about to become an even bigger star thanks to a catchy new song released in her honour

time-read
4 mins  |
19 December 2024
IAM NO DIFFERENT
YOU South Africa

IAM NO DIFFERENT

Despite being born without legs, Kanya Sesser truimphs at anything she sets her mind to

time-read
5 mins  |
19 December 2024
OUR WONDERFUL, WEIRD WORLD
YOU South Africa

OUR WONDERFUL, WEIRD WORLD

Bizarre and beautiful spots exist off the well-worn tourist paths that criss-cross our precious planet

time-read
3 mins  |
19 December 2024
GOD'S INFLUENCER
YOU South Africa

GOD'S INFLUENCER

After Carlo Acutis died at age 15, he was credited with performing miracles. Now the Italian is about to be canonised as the Catholic Church's first millennial saint. But what did the seemingly ordinary teenager do that was so special?

time-read
10+ mins  |
19 December 2024
RUCK ON!
YOU South Africa

RUCK ON!

Rucking walking with a weighted rucksack - has gained popularity once again for its ability to improve your heart health, increase your strength and burn kilojoules fast

time-read
4 mins  |
19 December 2024
MY KIDNEY FOR MY SON
YOU South Africa

MY KIDNEY FOR MY SON

This Cape Town mom is determined to lose 50kg so she can give her boy the gift of life

time-read
2 mins  |
19 December 2024
A WHOLE NEW WORLD
YOU South Africa

A WHOLE NEW WORLD

She's been deaf since she.was a baby but now Chermelle ;s slowly startmg to hear thanks to a Cochlear Implant

time-read
5 mins  |
19 December 2024