2oceansvibe News | South African and international news

Sponsored by RSAWeb rss
2ov Radio
  • Home
  • About
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Seth Rotherham
  • du Cap Collection
  • Café du Cap
  • Cabine du Cap
  • Media Packs / Advertising
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Anonymous Tips
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
Seth Rotherham
  • Interview With SA Man, Held As Hostage For Six Years By Al-Qaeda, After Arriving Home In Jozi [Video]

    11 Aug 2017 by Jasmine Stone in Crime, Politics, Religion, South Africa
    Related Posts
    • Cape Town Hotel Hostage Situation Turned Into Drug Arrest
    • Wave Of Sushi Terrorism Grips Japan
    • Monday Morning Spice
    • At Least South Africans Can Laugh About The Sandton Terror Warning
    • Potential Sandton Terror Attack 'Targets' Identified

    It’s impossible to fathom the fear one must feel when being help captive by al-Qaeda, so it’s no surprise that Stephen McGown is wearing a pretty big smile on his face now that he is on back on home soil.

    He was held for just shy of six years by the terrorist organisation, and admits to doubting that he would ever be a free man again.

    During his media briefing yesterday he had everyone glued to their seats, describing life as a hostage in Mali.

    Kidnapped back in November 2011, McGown was on a biking holiday at the time. Some of his more memorable quotes via News24:

    “It’s difficult to actually comprehend. By this stage you have had so many ups and downs. You are not sure who to believe. In the end you just don’t want to really believe. You are tired of coming down with a bang after being told you would be released,” he said…

    He explained how he lived in a hut which he had built with one blanket to keep warm on cold and rainy days.

    However after he converted to Islam of his own accord, he said he started receiving more favourable treatment from his captors.

    “They treated me well. However you always knew that you were a prisoner. You were at the bottom of the food chain. If you walked 50 m too far, they were aware of it.”

    He said after converting, the man holding him captive would wash his clothes and serve him the good part of the meat, however he was always aware that he was in prison.

    “The winds in winter were absolutely freezing. We had one blanket… the thunder storms were not my favourite… During the day it’s not a problem so much but at night it’s a problem… It’s extreme.”

    He said he did not want to come home angry and resentful.

    “I did my best to see the best in a bad situation in a difficult time. I did not want to come home angry and a burden to my family. I try and see the best of that situation.”

    Sadly his mother passed away five months before he was released, and he became emotional when talking about how he had hoped he would be released in time to see her before she passed.

    There were some uplifting moments, such as when his father praised the work of Gift of the Givers, who had been involved in negotiating his release for a number of years:

    “I cannot believe how many people have supported me and my family.”

    McGown said his body has been in a state of shock since his return.

    “I have been eating rice and pasta. Anything beyond that is a shock to the body. Having been back here, I have had heavy headaches and I suffer from back pain.”

    He said this may be because of his body adjusting to the climate.

    McGown’s father Malcolm praised Gift of the Givers, saying had it not been for them his son would have been there for another five years.

    Malcom said he approached Gift of the Givers because he was stonewalled by the South African government.

    Here’s the full media briefing – you can hear him describe his capture around the 17:40 mark:

    [sources:news24&goodthingsguy]

    • ← Trump’s 1990 Playboy Interview Reveals Nuclear Weapon Obsession
    • Here’s The Chance To Win R6 500 To Blow On Amazon – Delivered To Your Door In SA →
    • Tweet
    • Tags:
    • al qaeda
    • hostage
    • Stephen McGown
    • terrorism

    Latest News

    • Groom Delivers ‘Vulgar’ Wedding Vows In Viral TikTok [Video]

      [imagesource:pixfuel] When it comes to cringy wedding vows this must surely be up there...

    • Two Pilots Injured In Light Aircraft Crash In Kraaifontein [Images]

      [imagesource:facebook/titaniumsecuritas] Two pilots have been injured after their small...

    • Charles Spencer Breaks His Silence After Not Attending Daughter Lady Amelia’s Wedding

      [imagesource:instagram/55cosasbonitas] Charles Spencer didn't attend his daughter Lady ...

    • Pregnant At 14, Teenager Uses TikTok Income To Care For Baby [Video]

      [imagesource:tiktok/safronkelly] When Saffron Kelly found out she was pregnant on her 1...

    • A Weird And Wondrous Creature Washed Up At Melkbosstrand, But You Can’t Always Trust Internet Pics

      [imagesource:facebook/jeanleroux] A creepy cute fish washed up on Melkbosstrand recentl...


    • 2oceansvibe Partners

    • CONTACT US
    • GOT A HOT STORY?
    • 2oceansvibe Radio
    • 2oceansvibe Media
    • Media Pack
    • Seth Rotherham
    • Café du Cap
    • Cabine du Cap
    • Cape Town City Accommodation
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Business
    • Media
    • Entertainment
    • Tech/Sci
    • World
    • Travel
    • Lifestyle
    • Sport
    • Politics
  • Follow

    2oceansvibe.com is part of the 2oceansVibe Media Group

    DMMA Logo