Kempton couple hopes to save marriages

A young married couple from Glen Marais has decided to launch an initiative to help married couples’ unions to not end in divorce.

The campaign, rightfully named No More Divorce, seeks to offer a way for people to have happy, everlasting marriages through marriage counselling. The initiative will also lend a helping hand (through pre-marital counselling) to couples who are either considering marriage or are in the process of getting married, as well as happily married people.

Tlou and Bongi Ramphele, who have been married for 10 years, were inspired to come up with such a project after their own friends, who would come to them for marriage advice, suggested they make something bigger out of their knowledge and experience on a happy marriage.

“Our married friends and other people we knew would frequently approach us for advice on their marriages, from arguments to other matters too,” the couple said.

Tlou and Bongi first started a Facebook page, which is still up and running, where they posted daily guidance for a happy marriage. When their page reached 400 likes, they decided to take it a step further.

The couple says: “We also allow people to inbox their questions and grievances to us on the Facebook page, which we then offer solutions to, as well as prayer sessions.”

The Rampheles, who own an HR and financial management company together, are not alone in this fight and have called on the help of church pastors and professional counsellors too, who offer their services for free.

“We plan to not charge our clients for the counselling, hence the pastors and professional therapists volunteering their services,” Tlou says.

The couple also intends on getting professional training on marriage therapy, so they may also become experts on the subject and be properly equipped to assist others in need.

“We feel there is nothing that is irreconcilable. Every couple can be helped,” Bongi says.

Of course, the couple is also realistic and understands that sometimes life doesn’t always go as planned, and that some marriages are not destined to last forever.

Some problems are just too big and serious to work out, which is why they wouldn’t encourage someone involved in a dangerous marriage to stay in it.

“In some situations, such as with someone who is a victim of domestic violence, we obviously wouldn’t want someone to subject themselves to abuse in the hope of saving their marriage,” Bongi expressed.

Bongi and Tlou know that no marriage is perfect,and that it takes time and effort to achieve a peaceful union that will work. The most important points the couple has for people include:

• Good and constant communication

• Understanding and appreciating each other’s different personalities

• Seeking out help from others who are getting it right in the game of love

• Making each other feel loved, and most importantly

• Having regular date nights to do the activities you did before getting married and having children

The couple plans to have a big launch for No More Divorce on March 1. The venue and other details are not yet confirmed.

To find out more about the launch or if you would like to help in sponsoring this initiative, you can like the No More Divorce Facebook page to stay updated on the event, or people can call Bongi on 074-380-1601, Tlou on 078-402-0637 or 011-046-9287.

Otherwise, email nomoredivorce@yahoo.co.za