22 Sep 2019

Issues of siblings and relatives squabbling over inheritance are said to be rife in the Kgatleng District. 

Re A Nyalana Society programme coordinator, Ms Annah Morwaagole said this at a combined marriage ceremony for five Oodi/Matebele couples,hosted by the society at Matebele kgotla recently. 

She said it was saddening that some people were hell bent on acquiring inheritance that they were not entitled to. 

Ms Morwaagole said the first sign that children might fight for inheritance when their parents die were selling of their own plots, squandering the money, then moving back into their parents’ homesteads and bearing a large number of children. 

She said children should be forced to leave their family homes and go build their own homes at a certain age.

They should also be made aware that parents possessions belonged to all the children, instead of selfishly wanting to grab everything. 

 Ms Morwaagole said one of the objectives of the Re A Nyalana initiative was to address issues of child abuse, gender based violence, as well as culture and inheritance. 

The society was legally registered on July 12, 2012, after a pilot project conducted in Kgatleng District at Bokaa, Kgomodiatshaba and Artesia, in which 68 couples were married. 

Since its inception in 2012, the society has managed to assist over 3 000 beneficiaries in eight districts as well as conducting over 15 sensitisation workshops covering pre and post-marital counselling.

Ms Morwaakgole further said Re A Nyalana was aimed at discouraging the practice of cohabitation by promoting and encouraging establishment of legally recognised marital relationships to allow harmonious governance and management of family issues. 

She said as a result, there is a recognisable reduction of inheritance disputes and associated family conflicts. 

“The society has also promoted development of healthy families with the idea that stable homes will provide a conducive environment for child development,” she continued. 

She said the society had also contributed immensely to community development by creating awareness regarding disadvantages of cohabitation; promoting a state of dignity among couples; promoting health and morally appropriate social habits; securing professional support and guidance for parents; providing counselling services for the couples; supporting amendments of customary practices and protecting inheritance rights of women and children. 

“Patience is needed in marriage, but that does not mean staying in abusive unions,” she said. 

For his part, Kgosi Bethuel Ndaba of Matebele encouraged couples to seek and ask for forgiveness from their partners when they have wronged them. 

“You should never feel ashamed to ask for forgiveness from your partner when you have wronged them.

It is also okay to ask for outside intervention if both of you fail to resolve issues,” he said, adding that they should ask for each other’s consent in every decision made. 

He thanked everyone involved in the project for their tireless efforts in ensuring that the couples get to enjoy the dignity of marriage. 

Among the dignitaries were Cllr Modise Ncube of Matebele, who was thanked for his tireless efforts in encouraging marriage among people in his ward. 

He was touted as a visionary leader, who cares deeply for his community. 

Mr Sello Nyepetsi and Ms Phera Pile, Mr Gaotshabiwe Tapologo and Ms Mpeke Ncube, Mr Thomas Nonyane and Ms Moruledi Mogodi, Mr Kgadingwane Masisi and Ms Masego Ditshebo as well as Mr Disang Ratlhaga and Ms Ntshese Nonyane got married on the day. Ends