31 Aug 2015

It was kisses and hugs and celebratory ululations from families and friends who came to witness marriage of its own kind as 13 couples wedded in Dikgonnye recently.

There is always something special and intriguing about seeing old couples kissing. The tender care and warmth is written all over their smiles and laughs. Having stayed together for many years and raising children together but being unable to get married is something which many couples live to regret. 

But, through Re a Nyalana programme which encourages cohabiting couples to get married, many couples now breathe a sigh of relief as they have now earned the respect they deserve in the society. 

Kgosi Ishmael Rakgati who organised the marriages said he wanted to assist his people who were living together but were unable to get married. He said he has seen cases where one party departs this world and the remaining one especially if it is a woman being rejected by other family members though they stayed together for many years.

Kgosi Rakgati said this was very worrisome because even those men and women have no respect in the society but “today they are men and women married legally, therefore they have gained their status in the society.” He further said he was humbled and honoured to see parents coming forth and making a decision to marry.

The secretary of Re-A-Nyalana Mr David Morwaagole said the objectives of the programme are to restore the marriage institution in Botswana as it seemed to diminish with time.

He said they realised that many couples stayed together but were not married and during the process they make life commitments to each other which bring disputes when one party dies. Mr Morwaagole said this was what led to the formation of Re-A- Nyalana because Batswana have to marry to bring social cohesion more so that marriage gives one complete respect and honour.

This, he said, is the will of God and has to be respected.

He added that people should not be dismayed by the divorce rate because marriage is marriage. 

“You cannot stay together without getting married because it comes with many problems of their own nature especially when one partner departs this world.”

Mr Morwaaagole therefore encouraged marrying couples to stick to their partners and be faithful to one another as the Bible commands. He further said the parents are setting a trend for the children and the youth at large to see that marriage is the way to go so that they will copy from them.

Mr Morwaagole cautioned men to never beat their wives but rather love them and implored the wives to respect their husbands.

The oldest couple Mr Nchimanyana Molefe, who is 77 years old and his wife of 64 said they met a long time ago and have been together ever since. They expressed joy that at last they have managed to get married and it is now official.

Mr Mojaboswa Ditshephe and his wife could not hide their happiness as they also have been together for a long time. He encouraged other couples who are cohabiting to step up and make a decision to marry because it was very important for their future.

The youngest couple among them, Mr Ntsima Tlhabano, (43) and his wife Cecilia, (38) said they met in 1994 and have always wanted to get married but did know how they will manage it. Ends