STUCK ON STRONG

The passing of Kwaito music icon Mandoza has brought to the fore many great life lessons as narrated in this column last week- agreed.

But as we all know, we constantly exist within two extreme worlds; for every positive there’s a counter that must be explored, that’s just how nature continues to work. And so as nature would have it, the death of the man Mandoza raised the issue of the opposite sex - a woman’s role in a romantic relationship.

Reacting to Mandoza’s funeral, I found that many people, especially on social media, were hailing praise at Mpho, the late legend’s wife, for her perseverance and sticking it out to the bitter end.

Phrases like ‘Umfazi wamampela’ (real wife/woman) and ‘We need more women like her’, were making rounds and even getting retweeted and liked a trillion times over by both men and women. This had me thinking; ‘Is a woman’s strength defined by how much hubby-manufactured bile she could swallow in a relationship? If yes, what does this say about the strength of a man then – what defines it? Is it the complete opposite end of the spectrum?

Mandoza’s infidelity in this marriage is an open secret; long alcohol and drug-fuelled nights out with the boys and the girls (which Mandoza himself sings about) and now Mpho is admired because she stood by her husband throughout this recklessness?
It’s another undisguised secret that for years Mpho stood tall and firm with a very sick and broke Mandoza, a man who never gave up his old habits even at his lowest.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: