Mzansi Debates Over Lobola Negotiations, Peeps Discuss if Education Is Important in African Tradition

• A post on Facebook ruffled a few feathers as it showed a lady bringing her qualification for in-laws during lobola negotiations
• The pictures rubbed some people the wrong way because they suggested that education means a higher lobola
• Online users argued about whether education would be crucial to consider during lobola negotiations

A post of a woman looking like she's at lobola negotiations with her degrees sparked a debate. People tried to decide whether the cultural practice considers someone's education level to settle on an amount.

Peeps were at loggerheads about the value of education when it come to lobola. People who disapproved of the post descended on the comment to voice their opinions.

South Africans debate over lobola

A post by a Facebook page called Lifestyle shared a picture where a woman is sitting with her degrees and the poster said this would be how they approach their in-laws at negotiations.

Read also

TikTok video of mom's R3k grocery haul for 1 toddler leaves SA adults envious: "Can you adopt me"

Elderly Sotho man discusses old lobola practices

People were taken aback by the picture arguing that education is not a factor to determine the lobola price. A 59-year-old Sotho man, Amohelang Diaho is well versed in the tradition as he recently finished paying off his wife's lobola after decades of marriage. He spoke to Briefly News and said that the education criteria are relatively new and was never considered. He explained that because lobola is now done through money, people often take advantage of it. He argues:

"If I am supposed to pay more because you are educated, but I am also educated, does that mean they cancel each other out?"

He detailed that in the olden days, even as little as two cows was enough to get married. He concluded that lobola is meant to be a sort of ice breaker of sorts for families of the couple, it is not a monetary transaction.

Read also

Israel Zulu on not getting a celebratory call from The 'Podcast And Chill with MacG' team after 3 million views

Some people in the comments on the post insisted that other aspects are more important. Legal Wise reported some of the factors considered when determining the lobola are age, how many children she has, employment status and her level of education.

Netizens defended the person who wrote the post saying they were proud to be educated.

Anathi MakaMiso Sigatyana commented:

"Mona mona yhooo you guys are jealous because this is beautiful and it is a motivation to others. Kodwa yhooo nina you are busy ridiculing her success."

Lebo Cool commented:

"When he decides, this will be me, they need to take me seriously mntakabaw, some in-laws can cause depression shame. "

Enhle Queen Khoza commented:

"This is a good example, ungena emshadweni a prepared, educated woman. In my sight I find them attractive and they inspire me."

Amanda Ramavhale commented:

"People are bitter shem, such a beautiful post and people are spitting vile words on it, people need to heal."

Read also

Man who works as a data scientist says he hasn't spent May's salary yet, Mzansi peeps say he's blessed

Teboho Given Mototo commented:

"These ones banna haba duli, they are forever single."

Tebogo Mafolo commented:

"That's why I always tell women that we buy them and bona ba argue. We will buy you Ka R15k futhi....which is less than the latest iPhone."

ProAli Tsopi Phihlela commented:

"Education is irrelevant when we consider at negotiations!"

Christ Mandla II commented:

"She's already married to her qualifications why get married again? She'll obey her ego not this man."

"Beautiful to see": Father receives real cows as lobola, reaction charms peeps

Briefly News previously reported that one guy had successful lobola negotiations and settled it the traditional way. Lobola is a long-standing practice for proper African marriage.

The man showed that he decided to settle lobola using cattle as was done originally. His future father-in-law appreciated the effort and made it obvious.

A man on Twitter @WonderMahlobo shared a video of his future father-in-law ululating and dancing after being gifted cattle as lobola. The husband-to-be shared the video detailing that real cows were a surprise for her in-laws.

Source: Briefly News