THE widows of Lonmin Mine workers killed at Marikana two weeks ago say they do not know how they will cope raising their children alone.
Some of the women have babies aged only a few days and months old.
A total of 31 of the 44 men killed during the violence at the mine were from Eastern Cape. Some of those killed were job seekers.
Nandipha Gunuza still does not believe her husband Bonginkosi Yona of Lady Frere has died. His death came just over a week after the birth of their second son, Mihle.
"Mihle was born on August 7 and was the pride of his father. Mihle's brother Babalo is only five and is in pre-school. How am I going to raise two young children alone?"
Gunuza is unemployed. "Since I have accepted the death of their father, now I am worried about the future of our two young sons, more than anything.
"I just hope the mine will stick to its commitment to support the miners' children with funds for education from Grade R until tertiary level."
Gunuza said she was aware of the R15,000 the mine is going to give families.
Yona will be buried on Saturday next to his mother Nomgqibeliso Yona, who died last July.
Ntandazo Nokamba's widow, Nosakhe Nokhamba, has five children. The youngest child, Elam, will turn one on September 5. Her husband will be buried in Libode on Sunday.
"Things will not be same at all," she said.
Mafolosi Mabiya, 28, one of the deceased rock drillers has left his wife Nosikholise Mabiya, 18, and their 19-month-old son, Buhle, behind.
"My husband was the only breadwinner and my mother-in-law and myself are both unemployed," she said.
Mabiya will be buried on Saturday in Dutywa.
Ministers, MECs and mayors as well as kings and other senior traditional leaders are expected to attend some of the funerals.
Lonmin spokeswoman Sue Vey said the company had opened a Lonmin-Shanduka trust with R2-million for the funerals and education of the miners' dependants.
Eastern Cape social development MEC Pemmy Majodina has sent a memo to mayors of the five affected municipalities, saying they must contribute a total budget of R25,000 to the funerals and would be reimbursed by the state.
- This article was first published in the newspaper on 30 August 2012
Struggle looms for miners' widows
THE widows of Lonmin Mine workers killed at Marikana two weeks ago say they do not know how they will cope raising their children alone.
Some of the women have babies aged only a few days and months old.
A total of 31 of the 44 men killed during the violence at the mine were from Eastern Cape. Some of those killed were job seekers.
Nandipha Gunuza still does not believe her husband Bonginkosi Yona of Lady Frere has died. His death came just over a week after the birth of their second son, Mihle.
"Mihle was born on August 7 and was the pride of his father. Mihle's brother Babalo is only five and is in pre-school. How am I going to raise two young children alone?"
Gunuza is unemployed. "Since I have accepted the death of their father, now I am worried about the future of our two young sons, more than anything.
"I just hope the mine will stick to its commitment to support the miners' children with funds for education from Grade R until tertiary level."
Gunuza said she was aware of the R15,000 the mine is going to give families.
Yona will be buried on Saturday next to his mother Nomgqibeliso Yona, who died last July.
Ntandazo Nokamba's widow, Nosakhe Nokhamba, has five children. The youngest child, Elam, will turn one on September 5. Her husband will be buried in Libode on Sunday.
"Things will not be same at all," she said.
Mafolosi Mabiya, 28, one of the deceased rock drillers has left his wife Nosikholise Mabiya, 18, and their 19-month-old son, Buhle, behind.
"My husband was the only breadwinner and my mother-in-law and myself are both unemployed," she said.
Mabiya will be buried on Saturday in Dutywa.
Ministers, MECs and mayors as well as kings and other senior traditional leaders are expected to attend some of the funerals.
Lonmin spokeswoman Sue Vey said the company had opened a Lonmin-Shanduka trust with R2-million for the funerals and education of the miners' dependants.
Eastern Cape social development MEC Pemmy Majodina has sent a memo to mayors of the five affected municipalities, saying they must contribute a total budget of R25,000 to the funerals and would be reimbursed by the state.
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