The Status Of Widows

When I was young(er), I remember watching a film called Neria. The soundtrack was excellently written by Oliver Mtukuzi. Spoiler alert: the movie, set in an urban area in Zimbabwe, is a depiction of a woman who becomes widowed and she and her two children live to suffer at the hands of her late husband’s family.

The narrative is not unlike what we have come to learn and accept as normal in our society. In the film, after the death of Neria’s husband, Neria’s brother-in-law takes over the deceased’s estate as well as the children. Some film critics have said the movie struck a nerve that runs across the continent. The film ruefully illustrates deliberate perversion of traditional customs.

About a year ago, while scrolling through social media, I read a caption on a post about a funeral in Zambia. The author’s uncle had died. Immediately following his death, his brothers and male cousins came to his home, where his grieving widow was lying on the floor surrounded by other mourners.

Editor's Comment
Congratulations Anicia Gaothuse!

The contest had 10 beautiful young girls as finalists and unfortunately only one could wear the crown.The judges picked Anicia Gaothuse. To all those who feel their contestant should have won ahead of Anicia for whatever reason, hardly; the judges found Anicia to be the best among the best, so desist from disrespecting our newly crowned queen on social media or anywhere else, for that matter! Each of the 10 beautiful young women had supporters...

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