Happy
Women’s Month to all you beautiful women in the kingdom. August is regarded a
women’s month in South Africa in commemoration of the 20 000 women who marched
to Union Buildings in August 1956 in protest against the extension of Pass Laws
to women. The month is now a representation of women’s strength of character. Sadly,
this celebration comes against the backdrop of several acts of violence
involving women –many women getting murdered by men who, even after the deed,
still claim to love the slain women, women murdering men they claim to love,
women abusing helpless children, and last but not least, women committing acts
of violence on themselves by taking their own lives. This is all quite
unfortunate as it is avoidable.
This
week we would just like to celebrate all the strong women holding it together
to keep their families’ heads above water against all odds. They might be
holding top executive jobs, selling vegetables at the market, or just looking
after their families at home. These are all positive contributions that keep
families and the nation nurtured. Remind us again who called women “the weaker
sex!” Indications all around us show us that many of them are actually solid as
rocks. There are many grannies who should be resting and enjoying their
twilight years, but are scrapping around to feed, clothe and educate hungry
orphaned grandchildren. We salute you for your resilience. There are also many
single mothers raising their offspring by themselves after getting widowed or
after the children’s dads ran for the hills, mothers raising children with
disabilities, we take our hats off to you.
As
human beings, women need companionship. That’s what God and nature call for.
The companionship, however, must be wholesome. A person who makes your life miserable,
leaves you feeling shortchanged or puts your life under any form of threat is
not a companion. That person does not deserve your attention. It is always a
sad day when we read stories of women who die at the hands of their partners,
especially after there had been red flags throughout their relationship that
their lives were under threat. Think of the school girl that got murdered by
her boyfriend in June after telling her friends that he had promised to kill
her, yet she still walked away with him and lost her life. Women are known for
their big hearts that overflow with love. Love, but be willing to accept it
when things go south. Your love for someone should not be the reason why you
should stop existing (as when women commit suicide following the collapse of a
relationship or get murdered by a violent partner), or why the other person
must stop existing (as when women murder men who don’t reciprocate their love.)
Life is too sacred to be wasted like that.
There
is a message that ladies share a lot on social media which reads: “A strong
woman knows how to keep her life in order. Even with tears in her eyes, she
still manages to say, “I’m OK,” with a smile.” Don’t say you’re OK when you’re
not, because when you bottle emotions up, one day they bubble up and explode,
like when you shake a bottle of Coke. Talk to someone who cares. There are
organisations available to help women in distress.
Should
you find yourself all alone, don’t bury your head in the sand. Show up and make
your mark in the world. Regardless of the circumstances, learn a new skill this
month to celebrate your womanhood. Love yourself and others. Pray. Have faith.
Get a funeral policy from Dups.
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