MEC encourages couples to register their marriage

Social Development MEC, Ms Lindiwe Ntshalintshali, encouraged married couples to register their marriages to avoid conflicts when one of them dies or in the event that they want a divorce.

She said this during the celebration of International Marriage Day at Lillian Ngoyi Centre on on Thursday, September 30.

“Commemoration of the National Marriages Week seeks to highlight the importance of marriages and capacitate couples on strategies to strengthen their marriages.

“We promote interaction and families spending quality time together, no one should be forced to get married, it must be a choice because that decision is not child’s play.

“Families must stop forcing their children to get married because of their age while they are not ready,” said Ms Ntshalintshali.

She also said the way in which a person behaves, reveals his family background. That is why the government is trying to build healthy marriages.

Mr Ntshalintshali discouraged women from suppressing men by always saying the man must provide.

“If we want to be a healthy family, we need to engage in issues, couples need stop shouting at each other if things are not going well in their marriage.

“I want everyone to know that as women politicians we are called names but if it was not for my supportive husband, I wouldn’t be here today.”

She said married couples must communicate, understand each other, including knowing your strengths and weaknesses, and be transparent with each other.

“If you are both working, put everything on table on payday and see on how much is your combined salaries for anything you want to do. By so doing, you are building a healthy marriage without selfish interests,” said Ms Ntshalintshali.

This was a two-day event which began with a virtual debate umong married couples and families on different topics.

The event was also attended by religious leaders and other departments, including Legal Aid South Africa, Home Affairs and Correctional Services.