09 Jul 2019

The Ministers Fraternal in Lobatse and office of the district commissioner have launched free marriage counselling sessions for spouses and partners planning to get married.

Ministers Fraternal chairperson, Pastor Susan Tafa, explained that the sessions were open to married and unmarried partners every Tuesday.

She said Lobatse Ministers Fraternal wanted to help keep marriages intact through the counselling sessions, which would be held at the district commissioner offices.

Pastor Israel Tshikare explained that counselling would be in the form of group discussions covering a range of topics affecting marriages.

Mr Tshikare said sessions would be conducted by pastors from churches in Lobatse with assistance from office of the district commissioner.

“The churches were concerned by the rate of divorce and approached the office of the district commissioner about addressing the issue through the counselling sessions.

We have realised that some people get into marriages due to pressure from the family when they don’t understand the responsibilities of marriage,” he said.

He said lack of understanding of responsibilities of marriage often led to conflict and abuse, which ended up in divorce.

He said they wanted to help partners understand that love between spouses should be a lifelong commitment.

Lobatse deputy district commissioner, Ms Kolobetso Sejakgomo, said her office addressed issues concerning troubled marriages on a daily basis. She said they therefore accepted proposals to collaborate with churches to address the issue of breaking marriages.

“I believe churches can help us find solution because they are connected to the creator. The church has a big responsibility of helping to address the social ills,” she said.

Officially launching the counselling sessions, Lobatse deputy mayor, Mr Francis Mokwena advised partners to understand first the purpose why they wanted to marry before committing themselves. ENDS