Losing a spouse is a traumatic thing to experience and now the widows of famous South Africans are sharing their personal journeys.
Widows Unveiled is a 10-part series that follows the lives of five women who were married to public figures who passed away. The reality series documents the journey of each woman from pain to triumph as they navigate the drama and scandal that followed the death of their husbands.
From the makers of Uthando Nes'thembu, Widows Unveiled is produced by Passionlane Productions.
The cast includes PR specialist and marketing professional Lerato Sengadi, the widow of Motswako legend HHP; entrepreneur, award-winning philanthropist, executive producer of Nkalakatha: The Life of Mandoza and stroke survivor Mpho Tshabalala - the widow of musician Mandoza.
It also includes broadcaster and philanthropist Sikelelwa Ngubane, the widow of actor Menzi Ngubane; businesswoman Fundiswa Molefe, the widow of businessman John Molefe; and businesswoman Lerato Maphatsoe, the widow of former Defence Minister Kebby Maphatsoe.
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Asked why they decided to be part of the show, the cast revealed that they wanted to share their stories as an encouragement to other women in similar positions.
Lerato Maphatsoe has assured viewers that they can expect a lot of discomfort and honesty from each women’s storylines.
“Viewers can expect things that are not comfortable to speak about, especially as a Black society. Viewers can expect that we are authentic, we are telling our truth, and nothing is scripted, but everything is from our realities.”
But Lerato also wants to make it clear that she can’t control how viewers receive the show.
“I’m telling my story. It is your responsibility how you receive it.”
“So much happened in my marriage, even before my husband passed away,” says Fundiswa.
“My marriage was an uphill battle and it still is, so the decision to embark on this journey stems from all that I bottled inside. If I talk about my life, there is probably another woman out there who is dying inside because of a similar experience and I hope my story will show them that they're not alone in this."
Lerato Sengadi says she decided to do the show because she realised that widowhood is treated like a “colossal taboo”.
“No one wants to talk about it, but it's a day-to-day reality for millions of people. Throughout my journey as a young widow, I realised that black widows, specifically, have it harder. It's a generational curse and pattern. Women can’t speak openly about these experiences; they can’t speak about the pain and the journey to rediscovering yourself after loss.
“The fact that you have to wear all black when your husband dies is just a ‘scarlet letter’ to let people know that you're now a widow, so everyone must feel pity for you and avoid you like the plague.
“Society has made it very difficult to be a widow. When you show up for each other you are ridiculed and it’s called ‘trauma bonding’, instead of seeing it as a support system! In that moment of loss, you want someone who understands what you’re going through and who will help validate your emotions and feelings. I want to show my reality and let people know that it's not easy, it is nothing to be ashamed of, and you're not alone,"
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Executive producer Tsholofelo Semenya echoes the cast’s sentiments and strongly believes that it is time their story be told.
"The cast of Widows Unveiled have spent many decades alongside some of the most successful and high-profile men, who have been celebrated and even revered,” says Tsholofelo.
“Now it is their time to have their story told, stories that often mirror those of women we all know. The experience of widowhood transcends class, it transcends race, it transcends social status - yet it’s something we so rarely see on our screens. Every day a new widow joins the club and it’s about time we anchored these women and their families on their journey towards rebuilding their lives.”
Stream Widows Unveiled on Showmax from 12 February 2024, with new episodes every week.
