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Naledi Parents Honour Children Lost in Spaza Shop Tragedies
A township still grieving
The community of Naledi in Soweto has once again come together to remember the children whose lives were cut short after eating snacks allegedly bought from spaza shops. For parents, the pain remains raw. Gathered at Naledi Hall, families spoke of their grief and called on the government to help them honour their children with proper tombstones.
The tragedy unfolded in two waves. In October 2023, six children between the ages of 8 and 11 died after consuming snacks linked to a local spaza shop. Just a year earlier, in October 2022, four children had also died in similar circumstances. Together, these incidents claimed the lives of ten children and left the township shaken.
Remembering their names
During the remembrance ceremony, parents shared the names of the children they lost. Among them were nine-year-old Karabo Rampou, seven-year-olds Njabulo Msimanga and Zinhle Ida Maama, and eight-year-old Isago Mabote. Each story, each name, carried the weight of a future stolen too soon.
Joseph Sathekge, whose daughter Monica was just six when she died, urged government officials to step in. He asked for assistance with tombstones so that the children could be honoured with dignity. “We are still pained by this tragedy,” he said, “and it would be a great gesture if the government could assist.”
Calls for change
The remembrance service included prayers, speeches, and messages of support. Leaders and community members used the moment to call not only for safer food practices but also for an end to violence and other social ills that continue to weigh heavily on Naledi.
Valencia Kgame, speaking on behalf of the National Prosecuting Authority, urged parents to be vigilant in protecting children in a society where gender-based violence and child abuse remain widespread. Her message, though controversial in tone, reflected a broader fear that children are increasingly vulnerable to dangers within their own communities.
A painful reminder for Soweto
The Naledi tragedies have sparked ongoing debate about food safety in informal spaza shops and the urgent need for stricter oversight. Many parents across South Africa rely on these shops as affordable sources of food, yet the lack of regulation has long been a concern. For Soweto residents, the deaths have become a symbol of how community safety and basic consumer protection can no longer be taken for granted.
As the families continue to grieve, their call for tombstones is more than just about remembrance. It is about closure, dignity, and the hope that no other parent will have to endure the same heartbreak.
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Source: IOL
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