‘I’d rather die than leave him’: Malawian man fights to be reunited with his dog

Volunteers are racing to reunite a Malawian man with the dog he calls family after rising tensions forced some foreign nationals to leave the Sea Vista township in the Eastern Cape.

Man and dog bonded over six years

According to IOL, for six years, Fireman the Africanis has been more than just a pet. The dog has been Stephen Singhini’s family, companion and source of comfort while he lived thousands of kilometres from his wife and three children in Malawi.

How the rescue became involved

St Francis Animal Rescue first met Singhini when he arrived with a young Africanis puppy needing basic care.

“Volunteers from St Francis Animal Rescue first met Stephen Black Lion Singhini, six years ago, when he brought his Africanis pup to us to be vaccinated, dewormed and treated for fleas and ticks,”

IOL reports.

Volunteers say Singhini regularly brought the dog to outreach programmes in the puppy’s first year and that, because his family remained in Malawi, the dog became his closest companion. IOL adds that Singhini sent money home to Malawi every month to support his wife and three children.

Plans to get Fireman to Malawi

As tensions in Sea Vista escalate, volunteers are helping people forced to flee focusing on pets whose owners have left or must leave. According to IOL, St Francis Animal Rescue told Singhini they would try to bring Fireman to him in Malawi after he departs.

Susan Rae Fox, chairperson of St Francis Animal Rescue, said:

“Stephen sent a heartfelt message to us saying he would rather die than leave Fireman behind. We know this sentiment to be true and so we told Stephen we would do everything possible to get Fireman to him in Malawi.”

Fox outlined the group’s logistics:

“Our plan, once Stephen leaves for Malawi, is to keep Fireman in private kennels until he can be flown to join his master. We have had Fireman vaccinated and microchipped, in accordance with the requirements to transport the dog to Malawi. He will be in quarantine for one month, before he can fly,”

IOL reports.

Fundraising for the flight

According to IOL, the organisation is now raising funds to fly Fireman from Port Elizabeth to Malawi. Fox said they hoped to raise money by creating awareness of Singhini’s situation and the bond he shares with Fireman.

What comes next

St Francis Animal Rescue intends to keep Fireman in private kennels while he completes the required quarantine period and awaits a flight to Malawi. Volunteers are seeking financial support to cover the transport costs.