No grave, no solace for heartbroken mother

Alphonsine Mudumbi - a grieving mother whose nine-year-old son was killed by a crocodile last year, but whose remains were never found - continues to struggle with the fact that she was not able to conduct a proper burial."I am not the only mother who has lost a child, but the pain of not having buried your child is a feeling no mother should go through," Mudumbi said last week.She spoke to Namibian Sun shortly before Mother’s Day from her home at Rundjarara village in the Kavango East Region.She said not even the N$100 000 compensation payout she received from government for her child’s death has eased the grief she has endured since the 2 April 2022 tragedy.Richard Mwandu Mudumbi&#039;s fatal attack took place just two days before his 10th birthday."My son would have been 11 now," a tearful Mudumbi said.Remains never foundShe continues to grapple with the fact that her first-born child is gone and that there is no grave to show for it."I think about him every day, especially when I see other boys running around in the neighbourhood. I sometimes think he will just emerge and say ‘Mommy’ to me once again."Richard was last seen while he and another boy from the community were herding goats – a daily chore – after they had taken the animals to the river to drink water.While Richard was quenching his own thirst, a crocodile emerged from nearby reeds, snatched him and pulled him into the river’s depths.In memoryA few weeks after the incident, Mudumbi told Namibian Sun she avoided the river as it reminded her of the tragedy.However, in the early morning hours of the first anniversary of her son’s death on 2 April, she visited the spot where the incident took place and spent two hours praying and singing for her lost son."I waited for a year to go to the river, and I just went to sing and pray for God to protect him since I know he is in heaven," she said.Reminiscing about Richard, Mudumbi narrated that his dream had been to become a doctor."He was a playful person. If he was not busy with his chores, he would be playing football or running around the homestead. He was a kind boy who loved everyone. I continue to miss him."Take careSpeaking in the company of her second-born, eight-year-old son Christian, Mudumbi said she has warned him about the dangers of the river."I told him what happened to his brother, and he understood. Now all I have is him, and I am spending all the possible time I have with him. At least I am able to share my love with him. But we both miss Richard."Mudumbi further called on parents to spend more time with their children and encouraged them to keep their children away from dangerous situations and places.She said since Richard&#039;s death, she has continued to hear of children being attacked and killed by crocodiles. She urged parents to warn their children of the river’s dangers.kenya@namibiansun.com

No grave, no solace for heartbroken mother

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-10

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No grave, no solace for heartbroken mother

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-10

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