14 Nov 2017

Surely marriage bliss transcends age if the recent mass wedding commonly referred to as Re a Nyalana that sent an otherwise quiet village of Lorolwane into frenzy is anything to go by.

This gives credence to the old time truth that the God ordained institution, which predates human development, goes beyond mere inculcation of a sense of dignity, protection and unity to the marrying couple. 

 

A total of six couples exchanged their marital vows before a bustling Lorolwane kgotla during a mass wedding that will surely remain entrenched in the minds of residents for a long time. 

 

Ms Masabole Dikosi, 69, of Letsididi ward was clearly among those bitten by the bug of marriage bliss.

 

Perhaps the thought of finally walking down the isle amid sweltering temperatures with her fiancée with whom she cohabitated for years added to her near palpable excitement.

 

There she was at a ripe old age not only adorning a trendy shimmering wedding gown, but an infectious smile as well as a  little tear of joy that would stream down her cheeck as she exchanged marriage vows with Mokgalajwe.

 

All this happened amid reverberating songs from a spirited choir that belted out song after song as per Setswana culture and custom of merrymaking.

 

“This is the best present that I can give to Mokgalajwe ka fa a ntshwereng ka teng mo lebakeng le re le ntseng mmogo. 

 

It has been a long arduous journey and by the grace of God here we are today taking a very important step in our lives,” stated elated mother of nine who used the aid of a walking stick to support her aging legs. 

 

She would tell BOPA in an interview with a face beaming with sheer joy and fulfillment that she and her fiancée have many a times pondered on the idea to tie the knot, but finances have proved an albatross to undertake the feat. 

 

Her equally over the moon groom, Mr Ramejane Seumako, 72, who hails from Seumako ward in Mabule was lost for words, trying to come to terms with the stroke of luck that has suddenly hit him in the form of Re a Nyalana.

 

“I am an ardent supporter of marriage, but economic status have always posed great challenge and hampered my wish to marry this woman with whom I have nine children,” he says.

 

To him, Re a Nyalana is the dose that many economically challenged Batswana who are sold out to the idea of holy matrimony have been waiting for.

 

He showered with praises the government for having mooted the idea and vouched he would be the harbinger of the good news of Re a Nyalana.

 

His sentiments were shared by 53-year-old Ntsholetsang Tlounyane who hails from Legogoma ward, who told BOPA that he parted with only P500 to attain his marital status.

 

“I am dignified and full of gratitude today to be exchanging marriage vows with my partner with whom only death will part us,” he said with a look of determination in his eyes.

 

His wife, Nukunuku Wakanana, 46, standing in juxtapose to him just could not wait to share her joy with BOPA. 

 

Contrary to perceptions held by some members of the society, particularly those who look down upon mass weddings, Wakanana relayed weddings conducted under Re a Nyalana were as good as any other as it is recognised by law.

 

“The same due process and procedure accorded other weddings is undertaken, including issuance of marriage certificates,” she said, de mystifying negative perceptions regarding Re a Nyalana, itself a product of a presidential commission on waning societal moral fabric among Batswana that sheds a ray of hope that fast dissipating moral campus can be salvaged.  BOPA