Shift on Lobola: Greed or Tradition

SHIFT MONDAY, 30^TH April 2012

Lobolo or Lobola/Magadi is a traditional Southern African custom whereby the man pays the family of his fiancée for her hand in marriage The custom is aimed at bringing the two families together, fostering mutual respect, and indicating that the man is capable of supporting his wife financially and emotionally.

Traditionally the lobola payment was in cattle as cattle were the primary symbol of wealth in African society. However in our modern times urban couples have switched to using cash.

This brings up many questions. 

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   Have women become commodities to be sold and how does it affect their status in the marriage?

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     Has lobola lost its true meaning and has just become a business?

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     Does lobola create a financial barrier for men looking for a bride?

Watch SHIFT on SABC 1 where we will be informing you about the origins of lobola and its true meaning.

Our questions to you?

•       Is lobola still relevant today? Tell us your thoughts?
•          Have you paid lobola and if so did you think the price was too high or worth it?
•         If you were a bride to be would you accept a lobola of R1000 – 00 or less?
•          Are you a single women? What  amount of lobola (price) would you be happy with and why?
•       Is there a relationship between the price paid for the lobola and value placed on the new bride? Is it important?
•          Is it okay for brides to be to help their future husbands pay lobola e.g. give him the cash from your own pocket?
• ·         If the marriage does not go well is okay for the husband to ask for the lobola back?

Poll Question:

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           Has lobola become a business and tell us why? Answer Yes or No to SHIFT on SABC 1.

For further details, e-mail shift at shift@sabc.co.za.