By Tamlyn Canham
Criselda Kananda is getting real about her life after divorce. The social activist revealed that she legally changed her surname back to her maiden name.
“Dear Daughter, if you don’t want to change your surname after marriage. I completely understand, you have my 100% okay and blessing. Cause hey, Hayi maan it’s a lot,” she captioned a picture of the document she received from Home Affairs.
The media personality’s Instagram followers shared similar experiences in the comments section.
“It’s a lot. I did it once and vowed never to do it again. We are proud of mothers like you who know the journey and are supportive of the choices of your children. In most families it’s a given – never understanding the hardships the woman faces when things don’t go as planned,” one woman wrote.
READ: Nhlanhla Mafu opens up about divorce
Many women either regretted changing their surname when they got married or hoped not to do the same in the future.
“I really hope in the future women don’t even have to change their surnames when getting married.”
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Criselda Kananda and Siyolo Dudumashe divorce
Criselda revealed in March last year that she was in the process of divorcing her then-husband, Siyolo Dudumashe.
“I wouldn’t want to talk much about what’s happening with my relationship, but people should know that I’m in the process of a divorce,” she told the Daily Sun at the time.
Criselda had already started using her maiden name professionally at that point. But it looks like the legal process took much longer.
News of their split did not come as a surprise to some. In 2019, Criselda shocked her followers when she accused Siyolo of beating her up.
During her chat about changing surnames, Criselda revealed that physical abuse was a deal-breaker for her.
“There must be a line drawn on what one can and cannot tolerate and for me, physical abuse was a deal-breaker, for someone else it may be cheating etc… I’m an advocate for non-toxic relationships.”
Criselda told her followers that sitting in the courtroom during her divorce took a lot out of her and she had to undergo therapy to “restore and replenish”.
“We need to invest more in marriage counselling. When you let go of what’s not working, you are first acknowledging that you are worthy of better and better will find you. Love is beautiful,” Criselda told one follower.
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