WIDOW’S STRUGGLE IS A SOCIETAL PROBLEM

By Sello Tang

• Nolitha Nkohla, a widow from New Payne, Mthatha, shares her struggles since her husband’s death in 2014, highlighting the financial and emotional challenges widows face.
• The International Widows Day programme, observed on 30 July 2024, in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, brought together widows, government officials, and organisations to discuss the unique needs and rights of widows.
• Speakers emphasised the need for comprehensive support from both the government and community, addressing issues such as financial security, social stigma, and the impact of harmful traditional practices.

For Nolitha Nkohla, a 52-year-old resident of New Payne in Mthatha, widowhood has been a challenging journey since her husband’s untimely death in 2014. Her husband was found dead in a river under mysterious circumstances, leaving her with no closure. “The path of widowhood is incredibly difficult, as you’re left to fend for yourself and ensure your children’s wellbeing,” Nolitha shared.

She was one of the participants at the International Widows Day commemoration held on 30 July 2024 at the New Payne Community Hall in Mthatha, under the King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province. This day, officially observed by the United Nations on 23 June (Resolution A/RES/65/189), aims to amplify the voices and experiences of widows and mobilise support for their needs.

Nolitha spoke about the compounded challenges of widowhood, including the loss of her husband’s income and the indifferent treatment from her in-laws. “We face extreme poverty because many of us rely on our husbands’ salaries for survival,” she explained. Despite government assistance, Nolitha noted that it often falls short of covering all their needs. Additionally, widows often find themselves caring for the children of deceased relatives, further straining their resources.

One of the most painful aspects of widowhood, according to Nolitha, is the loss of social identity and the stigma attached by the community. “You feel invisible and no longer seen as a proper woman without a husband,” she said. This societal exclusion and the lack of support from both government and the community leave widows vulnerable to abuse and harmful traditional practices. Research indicates that widows often experience fear, coercion, stigmatisation, and restrictions on their movement and social activities.

Nolitha also criticised the South African Revenue Service (SARS) for what she described as double taxation on widows, exacerbating their financial hardships. She expressed frustration that widows are often overlooked for financial aid, such as NSFAS loans for their children’s education, leading to high levels of indebtedness and school dropouts.

The programme was attended by Eastern Cape Social Development MEC, Ms. Bukiwe Fanta, and representatives from the House of Traditional Leaders, along with various organisations, including the Government Employees Pension Fund, Health Department, Small Enterprise Development Agency, SA Council of Churches, Old Mutual, Metropolitan, and SARS. These organisations provided presentations on economic empowerment and investment strategies for widows.

Nolitha called for a collective effort from government departments and communities to protect and empower widows. “It is high time that both widows and widowers receive the support they need,” she asserted. The programme underscored the urgency for action to address the poverty and injustices faced by widows, often perpetuated by close family members and communities expected to protect them.