Denise Zimba has posted a heartbreaking Mother’s Day message to her two daughters, whom she lost custody of last year in a bitter dispute with her estranged husband.
The actress and media personality lives in Cape Town, while her children are based in Germany with their father.
DENISE ZIMBA POSTS HEARTBREAKING MOTHER’S DAY MESSAGE
On Sunday, 10 May – Mother’s Day – Denise Zimba posted a poignant public message to her two daughters, Leah and Mila.
The girls live in Germany, with their dad, Denise’s estranged husband, Jakob Schlichting.
In the post, Denise shared a video montage of all their beautiful moments together.
The actress and TV personality has vowed to reunite with her children, despite living thousands of kilometres away. She last saw them over a year ago, when she lost full custody of them in Germany.
She shared in a voiceover: “Even though I am not close, I make sure that every seed I plant is for you to know that there are trees for you to feed on.
“I am, and always will be, proud of you two girls. Just know that God’s will and order should never be questioned. I fight for you every day just by staying alive. I pray for your covering and your tiny little hearts that have hurt so much”.
Denise added: “I will forever be your mama. Now and every lifetime to come”.
Denise Zimba’s emotional post was liked by many celebrities, including Enhle Mbali and Nkateko Dinwiddy, both of whom have gone through bitter divorce battles.
WHY DID SHE LOSE FULL CUSTODY?
Last March, the Johannesburg High Court ruled in favour of Denise Zimba’s estranged husband’s bid to keep their daughters in Germany.
This followed her to bring the children to South Africa in late 2023 on an extended holiday, which she claims was initially supported by her former spouse.
Amid marital woes – including Denise’s claim that her husband had committed adultery with his best friend – Jakob Schlichting approached the courts, citing the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction.
Denise was ordered to return her daughters to their “habitual residence” in Germany.
She appealed against the Gauteng High Court order, but that was unsuccessful at the Supreme Court of Appeal. It added that German courts should determine the children’s best interests in custody matters.
Denise Zimba continues her legal bid.
