BUKOBA: IN a rare, crowd-pulling and attention-grabbing incident, an elderly man and his wife died on the same day, leaving behind over 100 grandchildren.
The couple, Longoni Ndibalema, aged 84 and his wife, Brandina Ow’ekisha (77) were residents of Kabulala village in Muleba District.
Ndibalema son, Kristofa Kabengura (53), explained that the incident occurred on February 2, this year just a few weeks after the couple marked their 60th wedding anniversary.
Narrating, Kabengura said that on the fateful day, Ndibalema woke up early around 5:00 a.m. for his usual jogging exercise and later had breakfast. However, by around 8:00 a.m., he began complaining of stomach pain and a headache.
Two of his sons rushed him to the nearby Rubya hospital where a team of doctors examined him and admitted him for bed rest. However, at around 12.00 noon he passed away.
“Upon learning on the sad news, his wife Brandina Ow’ekisha suddenly collapsed and was also rushed to the same hospital. However, she also died two hours later while receiving treatment,” Kabengura said with tears running down his cheeks.
“The couple was a shining example as they loved and cared for one another. Our mother and father have left a legacy.
They marked their 60th wedding anniversary on December 20, 2024 in a ceremony that was also attended by a significant number of community members including relatives,” he said.
Mr Kabengura explained that the deceased have left behind a total of 14 children, including himself, with the oldest child being 60 years old and the youngest 48 years old. They also have 60 grandchildren and 51 greatgrandchildren, making it 111 descendants.
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What Experts say on the loss of a loved one Speaking with the ‘Daily News’ on the incident, a sociologist and researcher at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), Dr Egidius Kamanyi, said it is true that when two people who deeply love each other and have lived together for decades and one passes away, the other is left devastated.
“When two people are deeply in love, they develop an intimate bond that is so deep and Godly. The loss of a loved one can lead to immense grief while the emotional impact can manifest in physical symptoms such as fatigue, loss of appetite and even illness or sudden death,” he said.
Elaborating, he said some studies suggest that strong emotional bonds can lead to psychosomatic symptoms, where emotional distress can cause physical symptoms or exacerbate existing health issues.
“Couples often share lifestyles, routines and even health behaviors. The death of a partner can disrupt these shared experiences, leading to a decline in health for the surviving partner,” he said.
Dr Kamanyi explained that there is a medical condition known as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy or “broken heart syndrome, where extreme emotional stress can lead to heart problems that mimic a heart attack.
This condition can occur after the loss of a loved one. While the concept of a physical weakening due to the loss of a loved one is not scientifically substantiated in a direct sense, the emotional and psychological effects of grief can certainly have significant impacts on health and well-being, he said.
