Katlego Sekhu
During public hearings on the Marriage Bill in KwaZulu-Natal this week, residents expressed their support for the proposed legislation, emphasising the need for greater recognition of customary marriages and their constitutional status.
One of the key concerns raised was the issue of lobola (bride price). Many participants argued that the Marriage Bill should address the current trend of exorbitant lobola prices. Currently, lobola amounts are determined by the families involved, with no formal regulation in place.
The Siz The World team also joined the conversation, inviting listeners to share their thoughts on the evolving dynamics of lobola in today’s world.
The public hearings, conducted in line with Section 59 of the Constitution, aim to ensure that the law-making process includes input from the public.
Another significant concern highlighted was the lack of protection for property rights, particularly for women and children in rural areas. Many participants pointed out that husbands often leave their wives in rural areas and enter into civil marriages in cities, jeopardising the property rights of women married under customary law.
This issue is further exacerbated by the high cost of legal fees, which many rural women cannot afford, leaving them unable to challenge these civil marriages in court.
While there was widespread support for the Marriage Bill, a majority of participants cautioned against passing legislation that aligns too closely with Western norms at the expense of cultural rights, beliefs, and practices.
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