By Rorisang Modiba
Tumi “Gogo Skhotheni” Motsoeneng is grieving the loss of her toddler son, Monde Jr Shange, who passed away on Monday after spending nearly two years in an intensive care unit.
An Instagram post said: “It is with profound sadness that the Motsoeneng and Shange families confirm the passing of Monde Jr Shange … on Monday, September 2nd, 2024, at Busamed Modderfontein Private Hospital.”
A statement released on Tuesday confirmed the tragic news and requested privacy for the family.
The well-known sangoma and podcaster with a new role as a DJ recently shared how she got a tattoo of her son to feel more connected to him during his time in hospital.
“I did this tattoo to feel more connected and show him love because it’s difficult to express my feelings towards him while he’s on a hospital bed the whole day,” she told TshisaLIVE. “One thing about my son, he smiles right through. His smile heals you. I go there to comfort him, but he ends up comforting me.”
Despite the challenges, Gogo Skhotheni had hoped to bring Monde Jr home this year.
“It has been a difficult journey for all of us as a family but life has to carry on. Monde Jr was born without a tube that transports food to the stomach, so he had major surgeries. Doctors tried to make sure he could eat but they couldn’t so they ended up putting in a tube and he was using a machine to eat,” Gogo Skhotheni said.
A Bible scripture was quoted on the Instagram statement:
“Psalm 23:4 reminds us, ‘Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me’.”
Celebrities and others shared their support under the post.
“It is well, mama, take heart,” said doromongy_empire.
“Sorry for your loss sis Tumi,” wrote realsoulfulg.
”As a parent, this sunk my heart cause I don’t know where I’d start … my sincerest condolences to the parents and family of this beautiful handsome boy,” said kekemphuthi_official.
Pictured above: Gogo Skhotheni and Monde Jr Shange.
Source: Instagram
