Lerato Sengadi to tell her story as a young widow
PR and marketing professional, former Big Brother Mzansi contestant and widow of the late Motswako rapper HHP, Lerato Sengadi, has joined the cast of Five Widows Unveiled. A10-part Showmax Original that follows the lives of women who have lost their public-figure husbands.Jabulani Tsambo, best known as HHP died in 2018 after hanging himself with a rope at his home in the Johannesburg suburb of Randpark Ridge.
This was after several unsuccessful attempts in the past. It was reported that his father tried to save him after the helper found him. Lerato’s life after her husband’s passing has been a rollercoaster as she does not see eye to eye with his family. Lerato was in a two-year legal dispute with HHP’s family over her status as the rapper’s customary wife. The Supreme Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal by HHP’s father ,Robert Tsambo, to have the marriage revoked. Tsambo has since passed away.
In the show, Lerato walks viewers through her life as a widow. She is joined by Mandoza’s wife and stroke survivor Mpho Tshabalala, broadcaster and philanthropist Sikelelwa Ngubane, who is the widow of actor Menzi Ngubane, businesswoman Fundiswa Molefe, the widow of businessman John Molefe and businesswoman Lerato Maphatsoe, the widow of the former deputy Minister of Defence Kebby Maphatsoe. Lerato says she decided to be part of the show after realising that being widowed 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,” she says. “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 themselves after loss.
Lerato says stories of young widow are rare. “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 a plague,” Lerato says adding that 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.” She wants to show her reality and let people know that it’s not easy. “It is nothing to be ashamed ofand you’re not alone,” Lerato concludes.
Motho waka, Lerato la pelo yaka, I miss u every single second, of every single day… and it will be so until we are reunited. Ke go rata ka mmele, pelo le moya. (Sidebar: Nna le Motho waka were always so oulik. Tjeeerrrr! Bona fela!”.
