By The Voice
Batawana Royals have banned marriages from the 15 September until the first of March next year as a way of encouraging the community to engage in ploughing.
Though the move will come as shock to those who had planned to tie knot during that period, Kgosi Ledimo of Maun Customary Court told The Voice that they will not allow any marriage to be performed any of the villages in the Ngamiland District during that period.
He said that they came up with that system after realising that people were no longer active in ploughing like before and gathered as Dikgosi to come up with a solution to that.
“In 2012 we realized that people were concentrating more on marriages during the ploughing season and we decided to stop it.”
Ledimo said that by making sure that no one was going disobey the order, they also decided to engage the District Commissioner’s office and Pastors to ask for their support.
“We informed the District Commissioner and Pastors and we hope that they will cooperate with us just like they normally do.”
Asked if that was not a short notice, Ledimo said that they do have hope as Royals that the District Commissioner has disseminated the message to all those who come to their office.
He added that those who will be in pressure of wedding will have to do it outside Ngamiland area.
“We consulted the communities and we are sure that all Chiefs will participate including other government stakeholders that we work hand in hand during marriages.”
Concerning wedding celebrations, Ledimo said those who will do celebrations within that period will be doing it at their own accord contrary to what they have agreed.
Though they will not take part in any celebration, Ledimo said that no Chief or Pastor will be part of that.
Asked for her comment, District Commissioner Bernadette Malala referred all questions to the Royal office. “Talk to Chiefs because they are the ones who know that issue,” said Malala before cutting off the report on further questions.
Reverend Hendricks Ramokwena of UCCSA in Maun said that they will do as per the Chiefs order once told so.
He said that as Church leaders there is no how they can disagree with the Royal house because it will be like undermining them. –The Voice
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