Natasha Mazzone Claps Back at Hendricks Over Polyandry Comments
- DA MP Natasha Mazzone lost her cool this week over fellow politician, Ganief Hendricks' controversial polyandry comments
- Hendricks says women should not be allowed to marry multiple partners and called the entire notion 'un-African'
- Mazzone has requested he be taken to the ethics committee for such sexist comments
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Democratic Alliance MP Natasha Mazzone is making headlines this week after criticising Al Jama-ah party leader Ganief Hendricks for his controversial comments about polyandrous marriage.
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In the wake of government's decision to allow women with multiple husbands equal rights under the law, Hendricks expressed a passionate disapproval of the move. The party leader called polyandry 'un-African' and questioned what the new law would mean for paternity testing:
“I am very concerned by the provision in the green paper of the Marriage Act where women are allowed to take more than one husband. You can imagine when a child is born, more DNA tests will be needed to discover who the father is. The problem is only going to get worse,” he said.
Not taking the sexist comments lying down, Mazzone clapped back. She referred to Hendricks' comments as "insulting to every woman" and demanded he be referred to the ethics committee.
"In this day and age, in the year 2021, to think that a public representative of this country would dare stand up in the Parliament of SA and say something like that is an absolute disgrace. I want it referred to the ethics committee and may I say that the only woman in this country who would possibly feel that way is his wife,” she added.
The spicy politician had Parliament abuzz with her comment but was ultimately warned by deputy speaker Lechesa Tsenoli against her foul language.
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Briefly News previously reported that although traditional polygamy is widely acceptable in large parts of Africa, there are different gender expectations that come into play when women expresses a desire to have more than one husband.
A local policy adjustment by the Departments of Home Affairs is hoping to challenges these prevalent double standards. If passed, the new marriage act could see more inclusive rights for women who choose to keep multiple husbands.
Mzansi had mixed reactions to the proposed amendment with many celebrating the acknowledgement of women's rights in SA. Still, others felt the act only contributes to a growing GBV culture.
Check out some reader comments below:
Natala Khotha said:
''Women are already victims of GBV, now you add another law which allows them to marry more than one abuser, it will end in tears.''
Musawenkosi Papie Sithole said:
"It Is Not A Surprise We Now Live In The Days Of Sodom & Gomorrah & The Bible Has Foretold Us About Such Things.#Buya Nkosi Ujesu."
Liras KG:
"As long as they marry men, meaning they pay for everything."
Hlayiseka T Mabunda said:
'' 'Allowed' is one thing. But women themselves should not allow themselves that. They should not fall for that. It is utter rubbish and so unnecessary. In the same breath, even polygamous relationships must be discouraged.''
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Source: Briefly News
