12 Apr 2016

Married couples recently congregated at the Ghanzi kgotla to brain storm ways to make weddings affordable for residents.

Kgosi Botshelo Lekgothu of Ghanzi said he had long wanted marital traditions such as bride price to be standardised among Bakgalagadi ba Sengologa.

Chairperson of the newly formed organisation, Basadi ba Ditsale tse di Tshetlha, Banna ba Dibaki tse di Ntsho, Basimane Molaletse proposed that the tribe should peg bride price at eight herds of cattle.

He suggested that the bride’s family should only be given one cow and a few groceries during patlo.

He said one beast should be equated to P2 500 in cash. He also proposed that the groom should buy the bride’s mother some clothes as per tradition.

He said a widow should be given a year to mourn the loss of a spouse and should be free to enter a new marriage thereafter.

A member of the organisation’s interim committee, Mogomotsi Serole said that they existed to manage the overly high wedding expenses.

Ghanzi  District  deputy council chairperson, Greg Lesibe, said establishment of the committee would help preserve Sekgalagadi culture.

He thanked the Ghanzi kgosi for coming up with the initiative.

He also suggested that the district should have its own culture day.  ENDS