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Centurion, South Africa (Al Jazeera) — The disappearance of five-month-old Thandeka Nyamane from a Lyttelton squatter camp on September 6, 2025, initially sparked panic among fans of former Generations: The Legacy actress Six Nyamane, with many mistaking the infant for her younger sister due to their shared surname and striking facial resemblance.
Closer investigation clarified that Thandeka is unrelated to Six, but the mix-up amplified the urgency of the case. Now, with Thandeka still missing, police have arrested her mother and a friend for child neglect, revealing a troubling tale of abandonment in a vulnerable community.
The confusion began when news of Thandeka’s disappearance broke, with social media abuzz over the Nyamane surname. Six Nyamane, 29, who played Nozipho Cele-Moroka on Generations: The Legacy until her exit on April 24, 2025, shares a similar look with the missing baby’s family, fueling speculation.
Fans flooded X with concern, one posting, “Is this Six’s little sister? They look so alike!” Another wrote, “Praying for Six Nyamane’s family, this is heartbreaking.” Authorities and Six’s team quickly clarified: there’s no familial tie, only a coincidental surname and resemblance.
The arrests, confirmed on September 10 by Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Johan van Dyk, exposed a grim reality. Thandeka’s mother and her friend left the infant and another child alone in their Fountain squatter camp home to drink at a nearby tavern.
“They were taking turns checking on the children,” van Dyk said. “When the mother returned around 05:00, she found Thandeka missing.” The baby, described as chubby with black hair, black eyes, and wearing a pink fluffy onesie with a hoodie, vanished from the informal settlement, a high-risk area plagued by crime.
Meanwhile, Six Nyamane’s recent career pivot added to the public’s confusion. After leaving Generations, the actress has embraced a new role as a DJ, sharing vibrant images behind the turntables on Instagram. Social media lit up with praise: “She looks so happy. A new chapter is what she needed,” one user commented.
Another gushed, “She’s my favourite face on our screens.” Some fans, unaware of the missing child case, speculated about her focus, with one noting, “I thought she was planning her wedding to Mohale.” Six, who recently married her partner Mohale in a private ceremony, added “DJ” to her bio, signaling a shift from scripts to beats.
The Pretoria Moot Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit is intensifying its search for Thandeka, with no leads yet on her whereabouts. The arrests highlight the dangers in Fountain squatter camp, where poverty and lax security create risks for children.
“We searched, thinking it was a kidnapping,” a neighbor told Al Jazeera. “Now we hear the mother left her alone? It’s unthinkable.” South Africa reports over 1,000 missing child cases yearly in Gauteng, with neglect often a factor.
Police urge the public to assist by contacting Sergeant Sithole at 071 675 7489 or Carina Bam at 071 243 3065. They advise providing a recent photo, detailed descriptions of Thandeka’s last known location and clothing, and completing a SAPS 55(A) form to verify reports. If found, a SAPS 92 form must be filed to close the case.
As Six Nyamane spins tracks and celebrates her new chapter, the search for Thandeka casts a shadow over Mzansi. The mistaken link to the actress underscores how quickly misinformation spreads, but the real tragedy lies in a baby still missing and a community demanding answers. Will justice and Thandeka’s safe return come before another family’s loss becomes permanent?
