The members of Qina Mfelokazi Widow’s Organisation in Mthatha commemorated Widow’s Day by partnering with ministers from different congregations, this year.
They lit candles remembering their husbands who had passed away.
Besides this, they also donated groceries to other widows who are less fortunate.
According to the president and the chaplain of this organisation, Bishop Nomaphelo Nodwengu-Myathaza, they decided to form this organisation with the aim of consoling and empowering each other.
She said this organisation accepts all widows who are willing to be part of the cause. Nodwengu-Myathaza said most of the women who are widows were discriminated against, even in by their own families, after their husbands passed away.
“We are ill-treated most of the time. Sometimes we lose dignity and inheritance that was left by our husbands, simply because the husband is no longer with us,” said Nodwengu-Myathaza.
Reverend Father Monwabisi Majingolo, from the Roman Catholic Church in Mthatha, said ministers had decided to partner with this organisation with the aim of assisting where they can, and also to give support to these widows. He said they wanted to know how they managed to maintain their living since their husbands had passed away.
“Most of the time we forget that they also need our support, as the church,” he said.
“I have learnt a new thing today, that we have to change the way we are doing things within our congregations because they (the widows) also need our support,” said Majingolo.
One of the new members from Qina Mfelokazi, Nobonke Phahlane, said after she joined this organisation, she felt that she had a new home because she is getting all the support she needed. She said, after she lost her husband, everything changed because she now had to try to put food on the table.
“Now I am selling sweets on the road just to make sure that my children get food. I am very lucky to be a member of this organisation because they show me support all the time when I need it,” she said.
