PhDA / Department of Development Studies

PhD (Psychology) / Department of Psychology

MA (Sociology) / Department of Sociology / Death and bereavement are sensitive issues experienced by all mortal species across the world. When death occurs, some individual are left bereaved. However, all societies have established cultural ways of mourning the dead as a way of healing the bereaved; although it seems the bereavement rituals are decided and performed without the bereaves consent. The aim of the study was to explore the experiences of death and bereavement amongst the young Vhavenda widows. The primary objectives of the study were to identify the challenges experienced by young Vhavenda widows in Vhembe District during the time of death and bereavement; establish whether these women are treated with respect, dignity, and compassion during the process of death and bereavement; understand the coping strategies they employed in dealing with death and bereavement and understand their expectations regarding the role to be played by the family and the community. Finally, the study sought to ascertain the overall impact of the process of death and bereavement on widow’s future lives. A qualitative research method was used to collect indepth data through unstructured interviews. The interviews were conducted using a purposeful sampling method among 13 young widows at Tshikombani village in Nzhelele in Vhembe District. Mbigi’s five finger theory of Ubuntu was employed as the main theory aligning with the study. The research findings indicated that most young widows are coerced into performing bereavement rituals while elders made decisions for some. Only one young widow did not have bereavement rituals performed on her. The Findings also indicate that the participants are not fully aware of their rights as women, wives and citizens of South Africa. These raises need for government institutions to address issues concerning human, women and marital rights to the widows specifically in the rural areas of South Africa. / NRF