Rural gogos wrapped in warmth for Women’s Month

By Celani Sikhakhane

• Elderly women in Qomukuphila village received warm blankets to mark the start of Women’s Month and honour their role in supporting struggling families.

• Many of the gogos said they spend most of their pensions feeding children and grandchildren, leaving little money to buy things for themselves.

Women’s Month began with tears of joy for dozens of elderly women in rural northern KwaZulu-Natal.

The gogos of Qomukuphila village near Hluhluwe received warm blankets as a thank you for the sacrifices they make every day to keep their families alive.

For many of them, it was a rare gift.

Many survive on old age grants while supporting unemployed children and hungry grandchildren.

Buying a blanket for themselves is a luxury they simply cannot afford.

Some of the women also live under the pain of false accusations of witchcraft, making life even harder.

Gogo Sabathile Gumede said the blankets made them feel seen and valued.

“We are looking after so many families because our children and grandchildren do not have jobs. We hardly use our pensions on ourselves because we must buy food and other essentials for our families. We really appreciate people who remember us,” she said.

The blanket handover took place over the weekend as South Africa marked the start of Women’s Month.

Big Five Hlabisa Mayor Comfort Khumalo told the women they deserve respect and better opportunities.

She announced that the municipality is preparing to appoint a contractor to build a trading village where women can sell their goods under proper shelter.

Khumalo said too many women are forced to trade in the scorching sun and cold weather while trying to earn a living.

She said the new facility will allow women to do business with dignity while protecting both themselves and the products they sell.

The women of Qomukuphila play a vital role in keeping their community alive.

They grow food, care for the environment and run small businesses that support local families.

They are also among the biggest beneficiaries of community development projects aimed at reducing poverty and creating sustainable livelihoods.

Many belong to cooperatives that produce food, strengthen household food security and create income in an area where unemployment remains high.

For the gogos, the blankets were more than protection from the cold.

They were a reminder that their years of sacrifice, hard work and love for their families have not gone unnoticed.

Pictured above: Rural women with their blankets.

Image source: Supplied.