Sadiqah Newman’s Mom Thanks Facebook Page for Restoring Her Faith in Humanity After Murder

After Nadeema Newman’s 26-year-old daughter, Sadiqah, was murdered in cold blood just two months ago, shot eight times as she walked near her home in Cape Town, Nadeema thought she would never trust again. But thanks in no small part to some special people from Facebook page SA Women Fight Back, Nadeema’s load has been lightened and her faith in humanity restored.

In a heartbreaking and heartwarming voice note shared with SAPeople, Nadeema told SA Women Fight Back administrator Tassi Tyne: “I lost faith in human beings when I lost my daughter… But then you gave it back to me. You teach me how to trust people again. For that I will forever be grateful…”

SA Women Fight Back arranged for sponsorship to ease the devastated family through this tough period, and was there to support them in court, and find essential counselling for them. (Sadiqah’s father Yassiem heard the shots that night after she went to buy electricity with a friend. He rushed to the scene where he held his beloved youngest daughter as she passed away. She had allegedly been used by her friend as a ‘human shield’ as gang members shot at him. He has since disappeared.)

Since the tragedy in Manenberg on 8 August, Sadiqah’s two children are picked up from home and dropped off safely from school each day so they don’t have to walk through Manenberg thanks to Farber Coachworks, which also sponsored the family a month’s worth of groceries.

SA Women Fight Back has also sourced sponsorship towards the children’s school fees for a few months, relieving the burden for their grandparents.

Counselling was also arranged for Sadiqah’s parents and children who are mourning not only the loss of Sadiqah but also of her unborn baby who was due on Nadeema’s birthday, 1 October. One of SA Women Fight Back’s members – Maggie Mouton – has kindly taken it upon herself to assist the family members with transport to and from ongoing counselling sessions at Hope House in Bergvliet, as part of their healing journey.

SA Women Fight Back gathered over 70,000 signatures in a petition to prevent the suspects getting bail, and has also been there physically for Sadiqah’s family in court as they faced the three men charged with her murder and a female companion who was found in possession of the murder weapon. All four accused were denied bail.

SA Women Fight Back – which was founded in August following the murder of Cape Town horse rider Meghan Cremer – is proving to be more than just a social media trend.

Nadeema Newman says thanks to SA Women Fight Back: “Today I don’t have to worry about how my grandkids are going to school… because it’s already organised.”

Addressing Tassi, as she thanks the group for helping her learn to trust again, she says: “It’s because of you people. I’m really grateful for what you did, seriously, thank you.”

It is reassuring for victims’ families to now have a group like SA Women Fight Back to help them gently find their feet again.

Sadiqa’s mom is in fact so grateful that she has offered to assist if needed in the future. “I don’t have much to give but at least I can listen and give advice… because you taught me so much.”