McGown in good spirits after release, says famlily

After six emotionally draining years during which his son was held captive by al-Qaeda in Mali, Malcolm McGown is elated that his son Stephen is finally home.

Stephen, who was touring Mali when he was abducted along with three other people in November 2011, was released on July 25.

“He is currently in hospital being treated for a mild form of meningitis, but other than that he is in good spirits,” McGown senior told the Weekend Argus on Saturday.

Although the family never lost hope that Stephen would be released, “seeing him at the airport, in the flesh, was unbelievable”, said his father.

“We are elated and it is a miracle that he has been released.

"It has been such a long time. We can’t believe it.”

McGown added that the only disappointment was that Stephen had not been released before his mother, Beverly, died.

She died just two months before his release, after battling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Stephen learned of his mother’s death on the flight to South Africa.

“I said to the government I don’t want to go to the airport and meet him and he hugs his wife Catherine and then me and says ‘where’s mom?’

"I said, please you have to break the news to him on the plane so at least he is aware of it and he can compose himself and come to terms with it.”

However, he said Stephen was also still coming to terms with life after his release and “needs a lot of rest”.

Asked if Stephen had opened up about his experiences while in captivity, he said Stephen’s captors had been “very reasonable”.

“They didn’t maltreat them or treat them badly. I think in their religion if you’ve got food you share it. They always ate.”

McGown said Stephen was now able to speak and write Arabic.

“When you are gone that long, you must make the best of your time and just keep learning new things and stay strong and somehow discipline yourself to those conditions.

"I have always told him to make the best of life. Whatever situations you get into there are things to be learnt.”

He said Stephen was in a good space now and has even been cracking jokes.

“I think he will recover very quickly,” said McGown.