South Africa: On 08 July 2022, Free State Premier Sefora Ntombela, together with MEC for Social Development Mamiki Qabathe and Health MEC Montseng Tsiu, joined the global community in commemorating International Widows’ Day at the SAU Auditorium in Mangaung, Bloemfontein.
This is an awareness day of the United Nations (UN) that is observed throughout the world to recognize and discuss the hardship that Widows face when their spouses die.
Free State Government, in partnership with stakeholders such as Master of High Court, Home Affairs, Human rights Commission, and National Development Agency, organized a Widows’ dialogue as part of Social Development Social responsibility and also assisted Widows’ in finding support emotionally, economically etc.
Advocate Itsheleleng Phala, from the Master of High Court, spoke on issues relating to a deceased estate, guardian fund related to minors and untraced children, trusts and curatorship and insolvency in the event of death of a spouse.
Mr Mohau Mokete from Home Affairs also spoke on issues relating to marriage, birth and death certificates and many issues relating to the identification.
It is in this regard that the Department of Social Development in the Free State, through the Women Empowerment Programme, has created a platform for Widows under the Community Development and Partnership to have a dialogue that will focus on their needs, challenges and frustrations.
Free State Government in Partnership will all stakeholders is serious about community development, Parenting, Promoting Human Rights, and Poverty Alleviation for the people of the Free.
