- Thursday’s renewed search for the missing Joshlin Smith was called off on Friday as no evidence has been found.
- At the same time, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie unveiled a luxurious multimillion-rand sports centre in Joshlin’s honour.
- Retired Springbok winger Ashwin Willemse made a surprise visit to the school.
While Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie was unveiling a luxurious multimillion-rand sports centre in honour of missing Joshlin Smith at the school she once attended, the police quietly called off a renewed search for the child just kilometres away.
The stark contrast between hope and heartbreak played out on Friday, as Western Cape police said no “tangible evidence” had been found during the latest search.
Just a day earlier, scores of police vehicles, alongside the K9 Search and Rescue unit, flooded the dunes in Diazville after information surfaced about bloodied clothing and other items believed to be linked to Joshlin.
Search teams returned on Friday morning, but shortly before 11:00, the operation was officially called off.
Police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut said: “No tangible evidence linked to Joshlin Smith has been found.”
Saldanha police station commander Lieutenant Colonel Kim Whitton added that all search teams had withdrawn, saying “nothing was found”.
A different scene just minutes away
Meanwhile, just 10 minutes from the dunes, a different scene unfolded at Diazville Primary School.
Here, laughter, cheers, and excitement filled the air as McKenzie, Sport Trust chairperson Jackie Mathebula, and Saldanha Bay Municipality Community Development MMC Michael Schaffers unveiled a state-of-the-art sports facility to an ecstatic crowd of about 1 200 pupils.
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Despite the joy, the weight of the past months lingered.
“This is probably the most emotional day I’ve experienced since becoming a minister,” McKenzie said.
“Exactly two months ago, the school principal, Lee-Ann Davids-Hartzenberg, approached me in tears and told me about the trauma these children had gone through since Joshlin’s disappearance.
“They were being interrogated by police and left deeply affected, with no support structures in place. I gave her my word that we would do something, and today we are delivering on that promise.”
Diazville Primary School principal Lee-Ann Davids-Hartzenberg and Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie cut the ribbon as the Joshlin Sports Centre was officially launched.
Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie.
The full crowd at the launch of the sports centre at Diazville Primary School in Saldanha Bay.
A netball court was one of many sport facilities unveiled at the Diazville Primary School in Saldanha on Friday.
Retired Springbok rugby player Ashwin Willemse made a surprise visit at the school on Friday morning.
He stressed that the facility was a response to the community’s needs.
“This has absolutely nothing to do with politics or any foundation. This was about the heart of a principal and a community calling for help.”
Highlighting the role of sport, McKenzie said: “Sport teaches discipline, patience, leadership, and organisation. It’s not just about producing athletes – it’s about building better individuals. I hope we will see more success stories come out of this community.”
Davids-Hartzenberg echoed his sentiments, recalling how she approached McKenzie at a cricket event in the Boland to ask for help for the no-fee-paying school.
“It is such an honour to stand here as we celebrate the official opening of our combi court and open gym – a moment of pride for our entire school and community,” she said.
“I asked him to please do something for the school in honour of Joshlin. Today [Friday], precisely two months [later], I stand here deeply grateful that this request was heard and answered.”
Davids-Hartzenberg thanked the department and its stakeholders for investing in the school and its pupils.
She added:
This is more than just a facility; it is an investment in opportunity, growth, and the future of our children. Our school has recently gone through a very difficult and traumatic time with the disappearance of Joshlin.
“As a school, and community, we are still carrying that pain, yet today stands as a light in the midst of that darkness – a reminder that hope, unity, and progress are still possible,” she said.
Addressing the ongoing investigation, McKenzie stated that the case had taken on a broader meaning.
“It has gone beyond just Joshlin; it’s now about police action and ensuring that information is followed up on. For many communities, cases are often forgotten too quickly, but here we are seeing continued effort and commitment.”
READ | Residents slam cops for barring them, yet letting ‘clout-seekers’ into Joshlin Smith search
He said he had shared information with the authorities, which had since been escalated.
“I have received confirmation that the information was handed to the national commissioner and the police minister. At this stage, I can only say that it points to the possibility of more people being involved in Joshlin’s disappearance,” McKenzie added.
Joy, dreams, and ‘lekker’ moments
As the formalities wrapped up, the atmosphere shifted into full celebration.
The crowd erupted when retired Springbok winger Ashwin Willemse stepped forward to address the pupils.
“I am so happy to be here today to see you all and to see all these lekker sport facilities the school is getting. Sport unites a nation, and I know there are already so many future stars here,” Willemse said.
In the crowd, pupils’ eyes lit up with disbelief and excitement.
“I want to be Cheslin Kolbe!” one child shouted.
“I want to be Siya Kolisi!” another yelled.
“I want to be Caster Semenya!” a third called out.
Laughter, applause, and cheers followed, as the crowd soaked in a rare moment of joy – young dreams rising loudly above the quiet heartbreak still hanging over Diazville.