GUGU MADONSELA
As the first-ever Women in Funeral Business Annual approaches, the National Funeral Business Awards (NFBA) is stepping beyond recognition and celebration to address a deeper need within the industry: healing and support. On October 28th, a special prayer gathering will be held at KwaMashu G Section Community Hall at 10 a.m., dedicated to the women who serve tirelessly in South Africa’s funeral sector.The initiative was inspired by NFBA Project Manager Busie Zondi, who witnessed firsthand the emotional and financial toll the work takes on women in this male-dominated industry. “Nothing talks louder and hits harder than tears,” Zondi reflected, recalling a recent Funeral Business Women Training and Workshop she attended earlier this year. There, she saw women overwhelmed by the weight of their responsibilities, burying people every weekend, absorbing the grief of families, and yet having little time or space to process their own pain.“These women are not just funeral practitioners; they are also mothers, daughters, and caregivers. By the time they get home, they are mentally drained and often have no one to talk to or vent with,” Zondi explained. The workshop revealed a raw vulnerability as many women broke down in tears, exposing the emotional exhaustion that often goes unseen. Recognizing this urgent need, Zondi took it upon herself to organize a day of prayer, to offer spiritual and emotional support to these women and others who carry heavy burdens.While the prayer event is focused on women in the funeral business, Zondi warmly invites all women from various sectors, as well as individuals still healing from personal losses, to join. “It is my duty as NFBA Project Manager to ensure that our organization supports healthy people, spiritually and emotionally,” she said.This prayer gathering marks a meaningful step toward acknowledging the unseen sacrifices of women in the funeral industry and providing them with a space for healing and solidarity. It underscores the NFBA’s commitment not only to professional excellence but also to the holistic well-being of those who serve families in their most difficult moments.The event promises to be a powerful moment of community, compassion, and renewal, reminding all that in the midst of grief and service, no one should stand alone.
