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Charity Mathema
MANY people spend most of their lives raising their children to the best of their abilities, only to say goodbye to them when they become adults.
Later in life, frail and without much strength, they yearn to see their children, but only a few get to spend time with their offspring. Not all children take care of their elderly parents.
In a heart-wrenching case of pure abandonment, a 74-year-old woman from Empandeni area in Plumtree, who had selflessly cared for her children for years, now finds herself bedridden and dependent on her brother’s wife after suffering a stroke.
Gogo Jane Ndlovu’s five children, who she had hoped would care for her in her old age, have all failed to step up, leaving her in a vulnerable and uncertain situation.
None of them have made an effort to care for their ailing mother.
However, two weeks ago, her youngest daughter abruptly took her children away from her, leaving her devastated and alone.
The children had been taking care of their granny.
Things however, turned worse when Gogo MaNdlovu suffered a stroke, rendering her unable to care for herself.
It is alleged that Gogo MaNdlovu’s brother’s wife Sikhangezile Moyo has been the sole caretaker for the bedridden grandmother since the stroke occurred four months ago.
However, complications arose when doctors transferred Gogo MaNdlovu to the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) for further medical attention.
With Gogo MaNdlovu in Bulawayo, Sikhangezile found it impossible to continue caring for her, leading her to take her to her eldest daughter Sibonokuhle “Sethu” Ndlovu’s house in Pumula East.
Unfortunately, upon arrival, her daughter expressed her inability to manage her mother’s medical needs, claiming she did not understand the medications being prescribed on her.
She insisted that her mother be taken back to the village, but the brother’s wife refused, leaving Gogo MaNdlovu in a state of despair.
It is reported that the following day, Sibonokuhle contacted her mother’s younger sister Sophia Moyo requesting her to come and collect her, citing her inability to manage and the need to attend a funeral.
However, Gogo MaNdlovu’s sister suspected that something was fishy about that sudden request, as it was an attempt to rid herself of the responsibility of caring for her mother.
Despite having five children, none of them have made an effort to care for their ailing mother. One daughter, residing in South Africa, claimed she had a husband to care for and could not manage to look after her sick mother.
Gogo MaNdlovu’s other daughter Nyasha Leocadia Ndlovu is said to have briefly visited her two months ago in the village but later disappeared.
Gogo MaNdlovu’s sister believes that it is not morally right for their brother’s wife to be the one taking care of her sister and seeing her nakedness while her children were still alive.
She said it was the responsibility of Gogo MaNdlovu’s children to care for their mother.
When B-Metro spoke to two of Gogo MaNdlovu’s children Sibonokuhle and Nyasha they all disputed the allegations being levelled against them.
“I am a quiet person and do not love talking much, all that my mother’s sister is saying is not true, she just wants a fight with me.
“I did call her yesterday to come take my mother so she could live with her because I had to go and attend my brother-in-law’s funeral so I needed someone to be with her for the time being,” said Sibonokuhle.
Nyasha said: “The reason why we left our mother is because her sister Sophia took her from Plumtree in Brunapeg where she had been living for years, saying my mother is not getting the care that she deserves and therefore she’ll have to go to their parents’ house and be closer to our uncle who is her brother at Empandeni.
“All that my uncle’s wife and aunt are saying are lies. Those two have been friends from High School and my aunt was even the one who arranged her marriage to my uncle, so they just want to drag our names into the mud.
“For now I cannot take her to where I’m staying as I’m in a one roomed house at Victoria Falls and it cannot contain both of us so she will have to stay with my sister Sibonokuhle for the time being”.
Gogo MaNdlovu’s sister said her elder sister’s children were stubborn and as an elder she had to step up and give rules to make sure that her sister was well taken care of.
Siphakeme .Mnindwa
