The concept of mourning in a South African context
“A man dies and everything stops for the woman. From the day she hears the news, she must sleep on the floor (they usually put a mattress), have candles lit throughout the day, take a few of the man’s items and put them at the corner. This corner also must be always lit. People will then come and go, express their sympathy, cry together all while encouraging her to be strong. For some reason, this woman will always wear a blanket and must not be seen outside. She must never leave the room until the day she goes to the graveyard to bury her husband. Some cultures do not even allow the women in the graveyards, but that’s a story for another day.”
Jane Mpholo is an award-winning multidisciplinary artist, entrepreneur, and changemaker from Botshabelo, South Africa. As CEO of Jane Mpholo Pty Ltd, she is pioneering work in theatre, film, and site-specific performance art. The first recipient of the CCIA’s “Outstanding Actor in Theatre” award, she has performed, written, and produced for national and international stages. Honored with two honorary awards from Onalerona Productions NPC and the Southern Region Women in Media Awards, she is a mentor, producer, and advocate for inclusivity. Through bold storytelling, she sparks important conversations, shaping the performing arts landscape and inspiring change worldwide.
