Zephany Nurse was snatched after she was born at Groote Schuur Hospital in the late 1990s.

CAPE TOWN - The family of a Cape Town teenager, who was kidnapped 17 years ago, say they're elated she's finally been found.

Zephany Nurse, who is now 17-years-old, was snatched after she was born at the Groote Schuur Hospital in the late 1990s.

Her aunt Chantelle Nurse spoke to Cape Talk this morning.

She says the rest of the family can't wait to be reunited with her.

"The feeling, I can't explain. It's like you're in a dream and you're trying to wake up and asking yourself if this is real." PICTURE: Celeste Nurse outside of the Cape Town Magistrates Court

Nurse says the teenager met her mother for the first time on Thursday.

"She was just crying and she knew that this was her child."

Zephany was just three-days-old when she was snatched from her sleeping mother's arms at the Groote Schuur Hospital in 1997.

Her parents, Celeste and Morne, and the Hawks managed to track her down after some of her school friends noticed a striking resemblance between the teen and her younger sister, who coincidentally attends the same school as her.

Nurse says the sisters connected instantly. PICTURE: Chantelle Nurse outside of the Cape Town Magistrates Court

"When she met Cassidy, there was just an incredible connection and it started from there."

She says while the family always celebrated Zephany's birthday in her absence, this year will be special because they get to spend it with her.

"Her birthday is on 28 April. This year we can celebrate it with her. It will be her first birthday with us and we have to plan something very big."

While the teenager has not met her siblings yet, she's been reunited with her mother and father and is currently staying at a place of safety.

Meanwhile, police say Zephany's alleged kidnapper, who is due in the Cape Town Magistrates Court today, has been charged with kidnapping, fraud and contravening sections of the Children Act.