WATCH: SA hostage in Mali sends love to family
A South African man who has been held hostage in Mali for four years, has expressed hope that he would see his family soon, in a video released to the organisation Gift of the Givers.
Stephen McGown, looking thin and sporting a long beard, thanked the South African government and the charity organisation, and assured his family that he is well.
The video, which was released by his captors, has been described by the Gift of the Givers as "absolutely credible and realistic".
"My name is Stephen McGown. I'm a South African citizen. Today's date is Tuesday, the 20th of October 2015. Short message to the South African government: I thank you for your continued efforts in negotiating my release.
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"My wife and my family, I am well. I hope you are all well back home. I understand that I will be seeing you soon.......
Watch the full video below.
Swedish citizen Johan Gustafsson, also with a long beard and wearing a light-brown shirt like McGown, had a similar video message.
See it below.
McGown and Gustafsson were abducted in Timbuktu by Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) in Mali in November 2011.
The Maritzburg-based relief organisation says the videos are credible. The Gift of the Givers says the most heartening part of the videos is that the men are now aware that people are trying to negotiate their release.
(Photo: screengrab and videos, courtesy of Gift of The Givers)