1 000s think pink for Sheldean
2007-02-28 23:13
Pretoria - Sheldean's friends, school staff and parents turned out in force, dressed in pink and denim, in a show of support for the seven-year-old who has been missing for nine days.
The message from Tuinrand Primary School in Pretoria West on Wednesday was: "Sheldean, our friend, you've been gone for nine days, but your place is still being kept."
"We pray and trust that you are safe, and that we will soon find you," read other banners.
Thousands of children and adults at schools and businesses wore pink shirts and denim trousers in support of Sheldean Human.
Sheldean Day in Netherlands
Pikkie van Amstel, Tuinrand Primary headmaster, said that Sheldean was wearing those colours when she disappeared from her Pretoria Gardens home on Sunday, February 18.
Sheldean was wearing a pink shirt and a denim skirt, and was barefoot.
Amstel said: "Of course, not all the boys had pink shirts to wear, but they wore pink ribbons.
The children are aware of the case and many other schools and businesses have followed suit and shown their support."
"I heard there was even a Sheldean Day (on Wednesday) in the Netherlands, because the news has spread so quickly."
He said pupils at the school had received trauma counselling since last week.
There will be two church services on Thursday, one at the school and the other at Cronjé Park on the corner of Gustav Adolf and Willie Behrends streets, in Pretoria Gardens.
Amstel said: "I want to ask the kidnappers to think about their actions. If it was your own family or your child - how would you feel?"
"We hope the Lord will soften the kidnapper's heart, so that he can return Sheldean to her mother."
Following up other leads
Police spokesperson Julie Claassen said they had searched a koppie in Pretoria West with a fine toothcomb, but found nothing.
The police also are following up on other leads.
The community has clubbed together and raised R15 000 as a reward for any information which leads to Sheldean being found.