King Godfrey Fanie explains arranged marriages
“The worst part about the way arranged marriages are done today is that parents force their children to marry people they did not conduct a background check on.”
Law enforcement agencies from Vosloorus, including SAPS, CPF and Youth Desk, hosted the second Ekurhuleni West Youth Cluster dialogue organised by the cluster police and Department of Community Safety at the Nguni Hall in Vosloorus on September 25.
The first instalment of the celebration took place at Thokoza SAPS last year.
This year’s event was attended by youth from all over the cluster and was held in line with Heritage Day.
The youth who attended dressed up in their traditional outfits to symbolise their culture.
Sgt Sibongile Mambana from Vosloorus SAPS said they are happy as the police station to be given an opportunity to host the second instalment of the celebration.
“Youth from all over the cluster are going to learn more about our olden ways of doing things. Traditional leaders including Vosloorus king and Izinduna from local hostels are invited to answer questions the youth might have about the olden ways of doing things. This is a good initiative by the Ekurhuleni West Cluster police.
“I would like to thank the Ekurhuleni MMC for Community Safety office for partnering with police in putting up such a good initiative,” said Mambana.
Youth had a short debate about the “Olden Ways Versus Modern Ways of Doing Things” theme.
Among other things, the youth spoke seriously about the issue of arranged marriages practised in the days of yore.
The panel, which includes traditional leaders from the township and police, answered all questions the youth asked on the day.
King Godfrey Fanie from Vosloorus explained the arranged marriage tradition.
“I would like to make it clear to the youth arranged marriages were a very good thing in the past because of the way it was done. Firstly, it was done in the best interest of those two people who were involved in the marriage.
“The groom’s parents would discuss it alone, thereafter they will sit with the bride’s parents. If the bride’s parents are sure the groom has good manners, he was raised well and he will be capable of taking care of the bride then they will allow the groom to marry their child.
“Both sets of parents would make sure the groom has enough cows to pay lobola. Even though it was called an arranged marriage, the couple lived a happy life. Not like the life lived by people of nowadays who marry each other today, start to abuse each other the following day then kill each other the next day.
“Today it is completely the opposite, parents want to personally benefit from the arranged marriage. The bride’s parents force their daughters to marry men as old as their fathers just because they want wealth. They don’t consider their daughter’s happiness,” explains Fanie.
“The worst part about the way arranged marriages are done today is that parents force their children to marry people they did not conduct a background check on. Once their children experience abuse there is no turning back because others are already infected with HIV and Aids, and others already have more than one child with partners who do not have their best interests at heart.”
According to the communications officer for Ekurhuleni West Cluster police, Capt Mega Ndobe, there is, unfortunately, no law that fights arranged marriages.
ALSO READ:
It’s important to register a marriage
Do not be conned by sham pastors and prophets
“Unless a girl is underage it is totally against what she is forced to do. If such cases are reported to the police, there will be a court hearing and the magistrate will have its ruling. There are chances parents would get away with it if there is no proof a girl was forced into a marriage,” Ndobe said.
Fanie is the leader of Zalisidinga African Traditional Council (ZATC) that have its kraal in Extention 28 in Vosloorus.
He pleaded with people from the township, both young and old, to come to traditional meetings held fortnightly where they will be taught more about culture.
If people want to know more about the venue and dates of meetings they can contact ZATC general secretary Mandla Ntshangase on 061 1637 273 or contact king Fanie himself on 081 7050 082.
Have a story?
Contact the newsroom by emailing: Zaid Khumalo (managing editor) zaidk@caxton.co.za , kathorusmail@lokshinmedia.co.za
or Aaron Damane (journalist) aarond@caxton.co.za
Remember to visit the Kathorus Mail on the following social media platforms :
Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers Germiston City News
Bedfordview Edenvale News, Alberton Record and Kempton Express.
