Media mogul Basetsana Kumalo has begun a discussion about women’s participation in customary activities such as lobola.
This is after she was part of a delegate of men who were negotiating lobola. She was the only woman in the room.
Taking to her Instagram page posted a picture of herself at the negotiations and wrote: I love our culture, I love our roots, I love our customs, I love our tradition, I love the beauty of two families coming together as one. This morning I had the true honour of being Nozakuzaku, (I don't know what the English word is....help anyone) for lobola negotiations for one of the #DaughtersOfMyHeart @iamlethabo_ndala.....representing the Ndala family as the Nkosi family brought us izinkomo,” she shared.
Even though this is not the first time she had been entrusted with such a role, Bassie was hit by the reality that women are mostly side-lined in such important discussions about the fate of their children.
“Being the only woman in the room of 11 men was a stark reminder that women need to be brought into the room and at the table at such important occasions that determine the future of our children. Today was my 3rd time being uNozakuzaku over the last 10 years, it has a lot to do with trust and thank you @thatondala for trusting me with your daughter's future. Sisebenzisane kahle kakhulu nabakwaNkosi. Siyabonga zihlobo zethu. Siyashadisa. #Sibadalangoku #AdultingIsSeriousBusiness,” she wrote.
Head of African Studies at University of KwaZulu-Natal Professor Sihawukele Ngubane says women are involved in the lobola process but it’s just less than men are.
“Usually, marriage negotiators are men and when the process moves to further steps women are invited. In a nutshell it is cultural and traditional, and it links to the beliefs of African people that ancestors are males and therefore males should be involved as it their right,” he explains.
He quickly points out that there is nothing untoward if women join in to witness the process, in fact, in most instances they are involved.
Prof Sihawukele adds that the custom has evolved. But that’s not good news for those who wish to go this route. “It has evolved in an unacceptable manner and it exploits young people who wish to start families but the concept remains static and there is no short cut,” he concludes.
