Singer Charlize Berg has spoken openly on social media about addiction after her twin brother, Jaco van der Berg, went missing and was later found in a serious condition in a field.
Berg had previously appealed to the public to help locate Jaco after he went missing in the Hartbeespoort/Centurion area. In a new post, Berg said her brother was eventually found in a very poor condition. It was cold and rainy and he was exhausted and "very close to not being here anymore."
Jaco survived the ordeal and is currently receiving the care and help he needs. Berg said her brother had only a small Bible with him when he was found. She believes God still has a great calling on his life.
The singer used the opportunity to draw attention to addiction and its impact on families. "There is a person behind the addiction. There is a family behind the pain. There is a story that other people cannot see," she said. She asked people to judge less quickly and instead show grace to people struggling with addiction or mental health challenges. Berg also addressed a message to families going through addiction with a loved one and said they do not have to carry the struggle alone.
"Because even when we don't know what the next chapter will look like, God remains greater. He was yesterday the One who wrote the story. He still holds the pen today. And the story is not yet finished."
This article is an automatic English translation of a Nuusflits article originally published in Afrikaans. Read the Afrikaans original.
