“Why Did I Get Married Early?”: Woman Shares Lobola Agreement From Makro, SA Stunned

• A South African woman sparked a conversation about modernising lobola negotiations by sharing a marriage agreement she used for hers
• The video posted on TikTok garnered many views and comments, with viewers expressing their surprise and interest in the product
• Many social media users were unaware that a physical lobola agreement was available and shared their plans to purchase one, while others pointed out other outlets where it was sold
• Briefly News spoke with Mkhulu Thobile, a traditional healer who has sat on many lobola negotiation deals, to hear his opinion about the lobola agreement booklet

A local woman brought to light a modern twist on the traditional lobola negotiations by plugging her online viewers with a lobola agreement.

The post, shared by TikTok user @hlengiwemkhwanazi2, sparked a lot of conversation, with many social media users expressing their surprise and interest in the product.

In the video, the woman walks around her beautiful kitchen, holding up a two-part booklet for her viewers. She explains that the booklet is divided into blue for the man’s family and pink for the woman’s.

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The lobola agreement booklet is explained

The contract, she shares, is legally recognised, and in today’s modern world, there is no need for a pen during the negotiations. She even shows how to purchase the agreement for R250 on the Makro website.

Modernising traditions and customs

We at Briefly News spoke with Mkhulu Thobile, a traditional healer from Cape Town, who shared his views on the lobola agreement sold at local stores.

We asked for his thoughts about the modern lobola agreement booklet shared by the local woman. He responded:

"My first thought was that this is a very new way of doing things. Traditionally, a lobola agreement is a verbal discussion and negotiation between the two families. It is a very sacred and private process, and the agreement is sealed with a handshake and a feast. A booklet is a new thing for me, but I can see why people are interested in it."

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We asked what the traditional way of making a lobola agreement legally binding is. He shared:

"A lobola agreement is traditionally made legally binding through a verbal agreement between the two families. The agreement is a way of bringing the two families together and showing respect. The lobola payment, whether it is in cattle or money, is a way of formalising the union and is not a payment for the woman."

When asked if he thinks the lobola booklet is a good thing for the future of lobola. The sangoma said:

"While it's a good way to document the agreement, I must warn against modernising everything, especially our traditional customs, as that has the potential of us completely losing the meaning of the whole experience. A booklet cannot replace a conversation and a handshake between two families. It should not be a substitute for the traditional ritual, but an addition."

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Mzansi loves the lobola agreement idea

The post gained many views, likes, and comments from social media users who were mostly unaware that such a product existed. Many said they went to buy it after seeing @hlengiwemkhwanazi2's post, while others promised to buy it.

Some joked about the agreement price, saying it was more expensive than getting married at Home Affairs. Other mentioned retailers, like PNA and Shoprite, confirmed that they have similar agreements in the books section, and added that it could also be used for loan agreements.

User @Shanaaz Clayton commented:

"A lobola agreement is R250, and signing at Home Affairs is R85-R120 plus a free marriage certificate. I don’t know, hey, but in this economy, make better choices 😂🤷🏽‍♀️

User @leratorato

"Lobola agreement 😂 why ngishade (why did I get married) early."

User @elle shared:

"I did mine 3 years ago. We had to even take our lobola forms to the police station to get them stamped and make an affidavit to make them legit and make copies for my family and my in-laws. Then we, my hubby and I, kept the original forms so that all parts could be protected.

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User @PsychicGogoSego added:

"Remember that once the lobola negotiations start. You are married in community of property."

User @MzukulukaMbekwana said:

"Just ordered. Thank you."

User @MsLEE added:

"Guys, I work at PNA and we have these even for Loans❤️😹."

User @Thando shared:

"😅 If you make a copy of it, then it’s not the original document anymore, that’s what I’m trying to explain, dear."

Watch the TikTok video below:

3 Briefly News articles about lobola

• A woman impressed online community members by sharing a video of her kneeling while serving her man food during her lobola negotiation.
• A local family put much effort into preparing food for their daughter's in-laws, who were meant to arrive for the lobola negotiation, but the man's family never arrived.
• A happy lady shared a video of four men counting bank notes, mostly R100 and R200, and putting them in stashes of R1000 during her lobola negotiation.

Source: Briefly News