Who is Mama Nepele from the book, The Girl Who Smiled Beads?

Mama Nepele is what Clemantine and Claire called Rob's mother. Clemantine first met her when she and her family moved to Zaire after Claire and Rob's marriage. When Zaire became dangerous, Clemantine was forced to leave Mama Nepele. She was another woman with whom Clemantine bonded, and with whom she wanted to stay.