One year ago today, the small coastal town of Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape was shaken by the disappearance of Joshlin Smith. The green-eyed young girl, who quickly captured the hearts of people across the nation, vanished without a trace. Now, a year later, the pain of not knowing where she is or what happened to her weighs heavily on those who loved her most. Joshlin’s grandmother, Lauretta Yon, remains steadfast in her faith that her granddaughter will be found, despite the passage of time.
Joshlin, the eldest of three children, was a quiet, introverted girl with a radiant smile that could light up any room. Yon recalls that although they did not have a close bond when Joshlin was younger, the girl gradually found her way into her heart as she grew older. “She would come in with her sister first thing when Kelly picked them up from school. Joshlin was so quiet, but she would lie next to me for hours, watching TV,” Yon remembers. “She would never have walked off with someone she didn’t know.”
As the year has passed, the family has been left to cope with the agony of not knowing where Joshlin is. Her siblings are now living with relatives outside of Saldanha Bay, under the care of family members. Yon, despite her grief, finds solace in knowing they are safe, but her heart aches for Joshlin.
The pain has been compounded by a sense of betrayal. Yon doesn’t harbor ill feelings toward Joshlin’s mother, Kelly, but she cannot hide her disappointment. “I’m just so hurt by it. After spending every day with her children, how could she be capable of something like this?” she says. The family’s anger toward Kelly is palpable, with many feeling that her actions, or lack thereof, have led to the separation of the siblings.
“I have to ask her—why did she lie to me? She could have told me the truth,” Yon continues. The unresolved questions have only deepened the pain, and the need for answers has become unbearable. “If Joshlin is alive, I will thank the Lord, but if she is gone, I just need Kelly to tell me what happened. I’m not expecting Joshlin’s body, but I need closure—whatever it may be,” Yon says, her voice quivering.
In the days and weeks following Joshlin’s disappearance, Yon turned to prayer for guidance. She recalls the early moments of the search, where they didn’t even know whether they were searching for a body or just clues. At one point, the family searched for clothing that Kelly described, only to later discover that Joshlin had been wearing different pants. But despite their tireless efforts, no trace of her was found.
Yon, while still coping emotionally, holds on to the hope that justice will bring clarity. “I want the trial against Kelly and the others involved to begin soon. We all need answers. My family, Kelly’s family, our entire community—we all need peace,” she shares.
Throughout this painful journey, Yon has been deeply touched by the support of the community, as well as people from around the world. “I am so grateful for everyone who has prayed for us, who has come to search, who has kept us in their thoughts,” she says, her voice thick with emotion. “Thank you to all of you.”
As the anniversary of Joshlin’s disappearance draws near, a prayer service will be held near her home in Middelpos. Yon’s only wish is for her granddaughter to be found. “I just want Joshlin to come home, so we can know whether she is with us or not,” Yon pleads. “If you have her, please bring her home. You don’t have to show yourself—just drop her off at a spot. Please, let us know where she is. We just want to bring her home and find peace.”
The search for Joshlin continues, as the community clings to the hope that one day they will be reunited with the smiling girl who has left a hole in their hearts. Until then, her family waits for answers, hoping that somewhere, somehow, Joshlin will be brought back to them.
