In May 2018, an entire nation waited anxiously for news about a missing baby from Alberton. Eight years later, Bronwyn Laird joins ‘Good Things with Brent Lindeque’ again to share how that terrifying chapter turned into a story of hope, healing and love.

Johannesburg, South Africa (18 March 2026) – Eight years ago, South Africa held its breath. Parents refreshed their phones, communities shared posts at lightning speed and strangers whispered prayers for a tiny baby they had never met. It was a moment when the country collectively leaned forward, hoping against hope for the ending everyone was desperate to hear.

On the 2nd of May 2018, the Pink Ladies organisation for Missing Children in South Africa issued a kidnapped child alert after it was alleged that a domestic worker had taken a baby named Eden for a walk from the family home in Brackendowns, Alberton.

Eden had been tied to her back with a light blue blanket.

She never returned.

The story gripped the nation almost instantly. Minutes turned into hours, hours turned into days, and South Africans across the country found themselves emotionally invested in a story that felt far too close to home. Parents hugged their children a little tighter, timelines filled with messages of support and an entire country hoped for a miracle.

And then four days later… that miracle arrived.

Baby Eden was found and reunited with his family. It was good news that travelled just as fast as the heartbreak had days earlier. Relief swept across the country, and the story restored something powerful in the national spirit: the reminder that hope still exists, even in moments that feel impossibly dark.

Later that same year, Eden’s mom, Bronwyn Laird, joined me in studio on the Good Things Guy podcast to talk about the experience and the emotional whirlwind her family had been through. What she shared that day stayed with many of us long after the microphones were switched off.

“We’ve seen miracles happen and prayers answered,” Bronwyn said at the time.

“We cannot allow what 6 individuals, 5 of whom we have never even met – what they chose to do – to affect how we see the world, how we evaluate relationships going forward or how we live our lives.

Hate just isn’t in our vocabulary. Hate changes nothing but love changes everything. Love wins.”

Now, eight years later, Bronwyn joins me again on this week’s episode of ‘Good Things with Brent Lindeque‘. This time the conversation is about the past but also about the incredible journey that followed. Bronwyn has written a book about the entire ordeal, sharing the raw, human experience of those terrifying days and the powerful lessons that came afterwards. In a full-circle moment, the Good Things Guy podcast and our original conversation even form part of that story.

While the chapter that began in 2018 started with fear and uncertainty, the pages that followed are filled with healing, growth and a family that chose love over bitterness.

Watch and listen to the episode on all our social platforms (like all of them).
New episodes drop weekly.
Powered by BetterBond. Filmed at Primedia Studios.
Stories that matter. Conversations that count.

Sources: Good Things with Brent Lindeque 

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes and hear their incredible stories:

Or catch an episode of Good Things with Brent Lindeque or our Weekly Top 5 below. The videos here are always changing, updated with the latest episodes from these two shows. Both are part of Good Things TV, created to bring South Africans balance at a time when the news can feel overwhelmingly negative. Our goal is simple: to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in our country – and to leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post The Kidnapping That Shook a Nation and The Miracle That Followed appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Because where there is vision, there is hope, and where there is hope, there is always a way forward.

Johannesburg, South Africa (18 March 2019) –  It’s a story that rocked the nation. On the 2nd of May 2018, the Pink Ladies (an organisation for Missing Children in South Africa) issued a kidnapped child alert after it was alleged that a domestic worker took Baby Eden, tied on her back with a light blue blanket, for a walk… and did not return to the family home in Brackendowns, Alberton.

The nation watched with heartbreak as the minutes, turned into hours and then turned into days. South Africa had become invested in a story where everyone was waiting for some good news.

And four days later, that good news came. Baby Eden had been reunited with his family, and his story had restored hope in so many South Africans.

But on the 2nd of September 2019, another kidnapping took over our headlines. 6-year-old Amy-Lee de Jager was taken by four men outside of her school. She was returned to her parents in the early hours of the morning, but the trauma will remain forever.

Baby Eden’s mom, Bronwyn Laird, wrote an open letter to Amy-Lee’s parents, the media and South Africa giving Good Things Guy permission to publish.

Read the full letter below:

Another Monday morning, a normal routine of getting a household of six ready for the day ahead. This day, however, would take a turn we couldn’t anticipate, a day when our past would come back to haunt us through someone else’s story.

Another young, innocent child, kidnapped, ripped right out of her mother’s arms, my heart dropped to my stomach as memories of what was to follow flooded into my own mind. Was it a tough day, yes, for more than I was prepared. Yet this is not my story; it is your story; it is everyone’s story.

Wednesday the 4th of September, on my way home from work, I receive a phone call. Another reporter, this one from a reputable Media House, a familiar one for our family. “

Bronwyn, we would love you to write a letter to Amy-Lee’s mommy, something inspirational, sharing your pain, maybe some words of advice, you know, something that you feel on your heart that you would have liked to have said to her should you ever have had the opportunity”, sounds sweet, but let’s be honest here, who is this really benefitting? Our messy relationship with the media over the past 15 months has taught me so much, but one thing I learned was that I didn’t need to feel inferior or afraid anymore, if you’re giving me a platform, I get to use it right?

A Good Guy gave me the freedom to give my message the way in which we try to live out our lives, with hope and love, and I’d like to continue on that road.

So, while I sit in front of my laptop, with my message to share, I silently pray my heart is heard. I also hope the media who genuinely want to make a difference, who really want to spread awareness and hope, and also want to see a change, might adjust the way they choose to cover stories like these and help bring healing to an already bleeding people.

So here it is, a letter to a mother… and a father, a grandparent, a young adult, in fact, if you’re alive and kicking, living in South Africa and willing to make a difference, this letter is for you.

A horrific crime hits the headlines; people are reeling in shock; people are angry, demanding answers and justice. Time moves swiftly and before we know it, the angry voices have died down, the support for justice for those who have fallen victim to terrible crimes has dissipated and those who stay behind to keep fighting for the voiceless, are left to drown in the overwhelming work that lies ahead of them, case by case taking a small piece of their heart with them.

Change starts with me, with you, every mother, every father, every man, every woman, every age, every colour, every income level, every culture, every single one of us. One person cannot make a difference alone, but one person can inspire another, and then another, and another.

We are currently a Nation in pain, but let’s not allow our pain to drop us to our knees, let’s stand up and make the change we want to see, let’s find the purpose and power in our pain. Let’s find a way to break the chain of negativity and fear; let ’s stop the doubt and create a vision. Because where there is vision, there is hope, and where there is hope, there is always a way forward.

So many have doubted the power they have to make a difference, uneducated, under qualified, ill-equipped and so forth, I felt the same for so long, it took the trauma of my child being kidnapped and held for ransom for me to find the strength from my source and rise up. And we rise by lifting others; we have so many ways in which to do this, if only we choose to.

Yes, our child was taken, yes it was traumatic, I would never downplay what we endured, but I also cannot ignore the most incredible people in the most incredible organisations, who worked in the background like it was their child who had been taken.

They barely ate, they didn’t sleep, and when our child was rescued, they asked for no thanks or recognition, some simply faded away quietly, moving on to the next cry for help. There are so many organisations that have risen up, and need our help to make the change we are crying out for. In our story, organisations like The Pink Ladies, The CPF, Afriforum (a few that asked not to be mentioned) are some of the finest men and women you will come across. They didn’t just do their jobs, they sat with us, they held our hands, they dried our tears, and they brought comfort and encouragement.

Though not an NPO, I cannot send this without making mention of the SAPS and affiliations the like of the Kidnapping Division. The divisions assigned to our case were kind, sympathetic, professional and diligent, some (just like the organisations mentioned above) have become family and still message us to ask after our well-being.

A great Christian leader in our country once said “Be a thermostat, not a thermometer, because a thermometer reacts to its surroundings, but a thermostat changes the atmosphere it’s surrounded by”, let’s change the atmosphere by choosing to stand behind an organization fighting for change, challenges are opportunities to create new solutions, so choose your challenge, rise up and take a stand. CWA, Get Up Woman, Durbanville Children’s Home, Earthchild Projects, Ethelbert Children’s Home, NICRO, SA Children’s Home, Pink Ladies, Dare 2 Care, these are just a few of thousands of organisations standing to make a difference. Become a game-changer by surrounding yourself with warriors, every single person still missing, every single parent waiting for an update, every single rape victim, every victim of crime, are waiting for you to be the solution.

Add your voice in any capacity you are able, to an organisation that you feel most passionate about, and you will see change, in yourself and your community. The investment you put into a purpose today, could save a life tomorrow, never see your effort as insignificant, you are inspiring someone watching your actions and hearing your words. So be kind, be positive, be unwavering in love and watch a nation heal. It starts with me, and it starts with you.

All my love,

Baby Eden’s Mom

Sources: Bronwyn Laird | Baby Eden

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes and hear their incredible stories:

Or catch an episode of Good Things with Brent Lindeque or our Weekly Top 5 below. The videos here are always changing, updated with the latest episodes from these two shows. Both are part of Good Things TV, created to bring South Africans balance at a time when the news can feel overwhelmingly negative. Our goal is simple: to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in our country – and to leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post After the kidnapping: Baby Eden’s mom writes heartfelt letter to Amy-Leigh’s parents! appeared first on Good Things Guy.

13-month-old Baby Eden, who was allegedly kidnapped, is back home safely with his family again.

Johannesburg, South Africa (18 March 2018) – Baby Eden has been found after being reported as missing for over 72 hours.

The Pink Ladies, an organization for Missing Children in South Africa, issued a kidnapped child alert after it was alleged that the domestic worker took Eden, tied on her back with a light blue blanket, for a walk and did not return to the family home in Brackendowns, Alberton, at around 8.45am on Wednesday, 2 May.

He was wearing grey tracksuit pants with pumpkins on the bottoms, a vest with the words “granny sunshine” written on it, a grey-and-navy striped jersey, and navy-and-white socks with sailboats on them.

Both the Brackendowns Community Policing Forum and the Intelligence Bureau of South Africa released this statement early this morning:

“On Wednesday 2/5/2018 a 13 month old baby was kidnapped in the Brackendowns area as per Cas 05/05/2018. LtCol Jordaan was the cluster duty officer on duty and was tasked with the resolution of the kidnapping. The suspects called the parents and demanded R 6 000 000 for the safe release of the child.

After an unsuccessful money drop on the 3/5/2018 the PHO Trio Team was asked to assist with a money drop on the 4/3/2018. An operational plan was put together by the team and the money drop off was observed.

When the team had sight of the baby a tactical takedown of the suspects was executed.

The baby was safely returned to the father and taken to a hospital for a medical examination.

2 suspects were arrested at the drop off point. After further investigations the domestic worker from the baby’s parents home was also arrested with some of the earlier recieved ransom money. Further investigations led to the arrest of a further 2 suspects as well as the vehicle used to transport the kidnapped baby a red Nissan Sentra was also recovered.

All suspects will be detained at Brackendowns SAPS and FCS Ekhuruleni West Cluster will investigate the case further.”

The Pink Ladies also updated their poster to say FOUND. The moment the entire country had been waiting for:

“Kidnapped Child Found: A special group of people from Coast to Coast in South Africa have said ENOUGH!”

Sources: Pink Ladies | SAPS | Brackendowns CPF

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes and hear their incredible stories:

Or catch an episode of Good Things with Brent Lindeque or our Weekly Top 5 below. The videos here are always changing, updated with the latest episodes from these two shows. Both are part of Good Things TV, created to bring South Africans balance at a time when the news can feel overwhelmingly negative. Our goal is simple: to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in our country – and to leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post 13 month kidnapped Baby Eden is back home safely with family. appeared first on Good Things Guy.