By Emily Setona
QWAQWA – The office of the Executive Mayor of Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality, in partnership with the Department of Social Development, hosted a workshop in QwaQwa aimed at equipping widows with knowledge and skills to confront the socio-economic and health challenges they face.
The workshop, held under the HIV/AIDS and Moral Regeneration programme, created a safe space for widows to share their lived experiences while engaging government departments, community leaders, legal advisors, and NGOs. Discussions ranged from tackling stigma around HIV/AIDS to strengthening widows’ rights and promoting financial independence.
Executive Mayor Cllr. Conny Msibi emphasized the importance of empowering vulnerable groups in the district. “We cannot build a resilient society if widows are left behind. Their well-being is central to our local development agenda, and workshops like this ensure their voices influence planning and budget allocations,” she said.
HIV/AIDS and Moral Regeneration Coordinator, Reverend Desmond Mahlaba, echoed the mayor’s sentiments, highlighting the need to break the silence around widows’ struggles. “This workshop is not only about HIV prevention and care, but also about creating a no-stigmatizing environment where widows are supported socially, emotionally, and economically,” he explained.
The programme specifically targeted widows in Maluti-a-Phofung Municipality, including Phuthaditjhaba, surrounding towns, and rural settlements. Stakeholders such as widows’ associations, traditional leaders, and the South African Women in Dialogue were actively engaged in the sessions.
By the close of the workshop, participants had developed collaborative solutions geared toward empowerment and sustainability, reaffirming the municipality’s commitment to moral regeneration and inclusive community development.
