Namibia has of late been recording cases of murder, some of which have left minor children parentless.

While some children have become their own providers, others are taken in by relatives who themselves are surviving on meager or no income.

30-year-old foster mother, Kandali Nafuka, lives in Oshakati's Oshikango location.

In her care are seven children born to her late sisters, in addition to her own three.

The two mothers of the seven children, Ndamononghenda and Martha Nafuka, were slain in one gruesome incident, allegedly by a former partner of one, leaving these minors, aged between three and 11, motherless.

The incident happened four years ago when the 23-year-old Ndamononghenda was allegedly severely beaten by her ex-boyfriend and the father of her two children.

While the two sisters were on their way to the hospital after the attack, the suspect then attacked Ndamononghenda's elder sister, 32-year-old Martha, and allegedly slit both their throats with a panga.

In 2019, the police recorded 292 murders, and the two siblings Ndamononghenda and Martha were part of those figures.

Their attacker, 29-year-old Samuel Enkono from Onandete Village, committed suicide later on the day he allegedly killed the two sisters.

Following this incident, it became obvious that someone had to sacrifice to parent these children.

This responsibility fell on the shoulders of then-26-year-old Kandali, who had to resign from her job as a security guard in the city.

Her mother, who battles depression after the fatal attack on her daughter, assists here and there from her old age pension grant.

"I think of my siblings every day. On good days, one would come from Windhoek to drop flour for our mom. One would buy food, and the other would assist with school; it's heartbreaking for me. I hope God can assist me in raising these orphans. It's so hard to accept. I am only 30 years old, but it's emotionally challenging. Sometimes I don't sleep. I am unemployed, and the money I get from selling popcorn, dry spinach, and others can hardly sustain all our needs." 

The family lives in a one-bedroom shack, given to them temporarily by the owner of a preschool in the area who noticed her plight.

At present, only one of the seven minor orphans, who are now between the ages of seven and 15, receives a N$250 government grant, and the family is finding the going tough.

They only have themselves, and it is Nafuka's wish that she can one day land a better job to provide for them.

Nafuka pleads with those tempted by crime or uncontrolled emotions to speak out rather than end up costing someone their life.

"Before you make a decision, seek advice. There are so many people in this world who can offer assistance and counseling that can also help you calm your thoughts and make better decisions. Now I have to step in to be the parent of these children."

This is the story of Nafuka and many others out there, whose murder has robbed them of their mothers.