She left home over 10 years ago. Gontse Makhene, who is a former singer and the youngest daughter of music icon Blondie Makhene, and the sister of actress and singer Latoya Makhene has not returned home and living in the streets.

A former friend to Gontse has anonymously spoken to ZiMoja saying she is devastated by Gontse's lifestyle. The friend says the once-famous child star has been living with friends in different run-down buildings in Johannesburg. "She was okay at first, living in Maboneng, then she moved and went to stay at a run-down building on End Street, downtown Joburg," the friend says. "I tried to call her and help her and said I'd call her family, but she refused to go home, she says she is okay. She went to rehab some time ago, but she does not want to get help and go home. She is clean, sometimes not, and lives with bo nyaope (nyaope addicts." The friend says, "For years we have tried to convince her to go home, but she breaks down and cries every time we bring up the subject."

In 2015, actress and singer Letoya penned a heartfelt note about missing her sister on her birthday. In July, Gontse will be turning 37 years old, and she has not been returned home for over 10 years. "It's truly heartbreaking. I am not sharing this to humiliate anyone but maybe someone will help her." Letoya said her family longed to see her. "Our mother, Agnes, gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, they named her Gontse. We've been trying to get hold of her for weeks, with no luck. Instead of celebrating my sister's life, I find myself feeling so sad," she said. "I can't stop crying. So, I pulled out these pics of her in healthier times; glowing, and beautiful as ever. We pray for you every day; we've never stopped loving you. This collage is me celebrating you. I love you so much, it hurts. May you find the peace and happiness that you've been searching for so many years."

NOT LOST

Gontse's father, Blondie Makhene says his heart breaks every time he thinks about his daughter. "I pray every day that she is okay," he says. "She is not lost; people have seen her around. She doesn't come home though; she has not been home, and we would welcome her with open arms." Blondie says she will contact them at times. "She does her own thing, and maybe we need to respect that. She calls when she wants to. But I hear people saying she is living in the streets in town. I do wish she would come home one day."