Family and friends of a 3-year-old Mitchell’s Plain girl, who was shot and killed there in March, hiked in Newlands Forest on Sunday morning in memory of her.
About 35 people from Athlone, Sherwood Park, Manenberg, and Mitchell’s Plain took part in the hike and wore the colour purple.
Nuhaa Floris was shot in the head while travelling by car with her parents, Fadwah Jacobs, and Reza Floris, on the corner of Highlands Drive and Eisleben Road, on Wednesday March 1. She died at the scene, and her parents were rushed to hospital after they were both shot.
Nuhaa’s grandmother, Faldielah Floris, said life had been very difficult without her.
Last week, Nuhaa’s daycare celebrated what would’ve been her 4th birthday. Her mother also held a prayer meeting on Thursday August 3, to commemorate her daughter’s birthday.
Ms Floris described Nuhaa as a very outgoing girl who loved looking at the mountain and being outdoors.
“For a 3-year- old, Nuhaa was very intelligent, very caring and very strong willed. The walk was also because the Tuesday before her passing, she asked if we could take her to the beach, pool, gardens for the squirrels and the mountain all in one day. We didn’t get that chance.
“The first thing I thought of to remember her was a hike. Everyone that spent their time with her did something for her last week. It was like a final kind of goodbye for us. All of the family have been on board from the start. It’s something we hope to keep doing.
“We don’t know if anyone has been arrested for her murder yet. We didn’t want to make her death an ugly thing and probe further. We haven’t received any information from SAPS, but that’s fine. We all still miss Nuhaa’s presence, her bubbly personality and loving presence, terribly, and she will always be in our hearts shining down from heaven.
“We have to be strong. There is nothing else we can do. It was a brave choice not to pursue, it but we know there will be justice, here or with Allah. There are lots of unanswered questions that would just cause hurt if we had to fret on it. Many children are losing their lives because of bullets.”
Nuhaa’s father, Reza Floris, 26, said hiking was something his daughter had enjoyed.
“The mountain was amazing for her. She always wanted to be on top. Today reminded me of that. All of the family being there remembering her was a nice feeling,” he said.
Nafees Floris, a family member and founder of the Kim Dassies hiking group from Athlone, said the hike was not only for Nuhaa but for all victims of gangsterism, drugs and crime, especially children.
“May the Almighty put comfort in the hearts of Nuhaa’s family and friends and all those who have lost loved ones in this cruel manner, and may we continue to strive to find solutions to the problems that our communities are facing. God willing,” he said.
Provincial police spokesman Captain FC Van Wyk, said that no arrests had been made and the investigation was continuing.