A heartwarming reunion between a dog and its owner in Malawi is giving the team at St Francis Animal Rescue renewed hope as it continues helping pets separated from families who fled alleged xenophobic violence in the Eastern Cape, according to Nova News.
Africanis dog image used for illustrative purposes/Johan Gallant/Wikimedia Commons
The rescue organisation recently confirmed that one dog, Rex, has already been reunited with his owner after the pair were separated when the owner, a documented foreign national, was forced to leave South Africa to seek safety. Rex was cared for in foster care until they could be reunited.
Now, the organisation is focusing on another emotional journey, helping an Africanis named Fireman return to his owner, Stephen Black Lion Singhini, in Malawi.
According to St Francis Animal Rescue founder and chairperson Susan Rae Fox, the organisation first met Singhini six years ago when he brought Fireman, then a puppy, to one of its outreach clinics for vaccinations, deworming, and flea and tick treatment.
Singhini had been working in South Africa while supporting his wife and three children in Malawi. With no close family nearby, Fireman became his loyal companion.
Over the years, the rescue continued to support Fireman’s care, providing vaccinations, a collar, a lead, and blankets. Volunteers often spotted the pair travelling together, with Fireman riding alongside Singhini in his bakkie.
That changed when alleged xenophobic threats in Sea Vista forced many Malawian and Zimbabwean residents to leave the area.
Fox said Singhini sent the organisation a heartfelt message saying he would rather die than leave Fireman behind. Knowing the close bond between them, the rescue committed to finding a way to reunite the pair.
“While we care about the injustice and cruelty of these attacks upon innocent people, our primary focus is on the dogs and cats belonging to people forced to flee from Sea Vista,” said Fox.
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To make the reunion possible, St Francis Animal Rescue has partnered with Gqeberha-based pet relocation company Move A Pet to transport Fireman by air to Lilongwe.
Additional support has come from the Lilongwe Society for the Protection and Care of Animals (LSPCA), which is assisting with arrival arrangements, import procedures and the logistics of the final 10-hour journey to Karonga, where Singhini’s family lives.
Fireman has already received all the required vaccinations, been microchipped and undergone a full veterinary health assessment. He is currently completing the mandatory 30-day waiting period before travel while his import permit is processed and a custom travel crate is prepared.
Fox thanked supporters from across South Africa whose donations are expected to cover the costs of Fireman’s flight, import permit, transport and Singhini’s onward journey home.
She added that any funds remaining after Fireman’s reunion will be used to help other pets left behind by families who had to flee at short notice.
If all goes according to plan, Fireman’s journey to Malawi will become another story of hope, showing how compassion and community support can help reunite families, both human and animal, even across international borders.
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