LWAMONDO – South African men have to think twice because the saying that a woman’s place is in the kitchen, was clearly defied by Mmbudzeni Mugomeli (26) of Lwamondo-Khumbe village, outside Thohoyandou.

Mmbudzeni has put her gender status aside by switching from the kitchen to the graveyard, a job that was strictly done by men in the past. She works for the local Tshitshithe Funeral Undertakers and her job includes digging graves, mixing concrete for grave construction, handing bricks to the grave constructors, fitting tiles around the graves, installing tombstones, cleaning tombstones after erection, and general assistance to fellow male co-workers at the graveyard.

A single mother with one child, Mmbudzeni told Mirror that it is time for all South African women to wake up and do something to feed their families and to contribute in the development of their communities. “South Africa is a democratic country and no one should be discriminated against because of gender. Women can also do the jobs that were formally done by men, as long as one is fit and prepared to serve the community with courage. This job is tough and it needs somebody who has the love of the community at heart. At first I became tired very easily, but now I am used to it and I can work for long hours without getting tired.”

She joined Tshitshithe in 2003 after she failed her Grade in 2002. “Because I was unable to further my studies, I decided to use my physical strength to make a living. Although the job is hard, I am happy because I can support myself and my child.”

Mmbudzeni said many people feel shame for her when they see her mixing concrete and pushing wheelbarrows at funerals. “Why feel pity for me, because I am doing the job willingly? The deceased have to be buried with dignity and it is my job to make sure that they rest in peace. Many people could not even understand why I have ventured into the men’s world, but I always tell them that I am doing the job to serve my community and to send a clear message to other women to work hard to build their communities.”

The general manager of Tshitshithe Funeral Undertakers, Mr. Musiwalo Sigidi, said it was the policy of his company to empower women as they have been oppressed for a long time. “Women can also do things that were formerly done by men and it is our duty as employees to give them a platform to prove themselves. We have approximately 30 women in our company who are making coffins, manufacturing tombstones and working in the graveyards during funerals. This is the time to change our mindsets towards women because some of them are more hard working than men. Women have been working very hard in the past and their contributions were unnoticed. I encourage other employers to empower women because there is a need for gender equity in our democratic society."

He said Mmbudzeni is dedicated worker who does her job whole-heartedly without constant supervision.