Zephany Nurse’s 18th birthday gift is anonymity

22 April 2015 - 09:36 By Nashira Davids And Penelope Mashego

Zephany Nurse not only has two sets of parents‚ but two birthdays too. The 17-year-old‚ who was snatched from her mother's arms when she was three days old at Groote Schuur Hospital‚ was reunited with her biological parents earlier this year.She turns 18 next week and while her biological family have confirmed that she was born on April 28‚ 1997‚ Zephany’s birth certificate says she was born on April 30.Whatever day she chooses to celebrate her 18th birthday‚ Zephany has been “anxious” about the occasion. But‚ luckily‚ the Centre for Child Law has helped secure her wonderful birthday gift - anonymity.The North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Tuesday granted an application by the centre‚ Zephany and other applicants that the media may not identify her.The name Zephany Nurse was given to the girl by her parents when she was born‚ however the woman accused of abducting her 17 years ago gave her a new name‚ which she has grown up with and which her friends know her by.The court ruled that this name may not be made public."I know she was very worried about this. She was anxious because her birthday is next week‚ so I am quite sure that she is very relieved that the high court has made this order. It will give her a lot of comfort that she won't be identified‚'' said Professor Ann Skelton‚ director for the centre.Zephany was reunited with her biological parents this year after friends at school noticed a strong resemblance between her and another girl‚ who turned out to be her biological sister.In court documents‚ Zephany said: “The media is interfering with the process I am going through to get to know my biological family.” – The Times..

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