“They’re Destroying Our Cultures”: KZN Men Defend Tradition Against Wife’s Surname Ruling, SA Reacts
- A content creator captured three men giving their firm opinions on a new Constitutional Court ruling that allows men to take their wives' surnames
- The clip, filmed at a traditional gathering, was shared on TikTok, sparking a massive debate across the community
- Social media users mostly agreed with the men's sentiments, with many calling the new law offensive and an attack on African culture
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Source: TikTok
A new Constitutional Court ruling that allows men to take their wives' surnames sparked a heated debate on social media.
The clip shared on TikTok by @nhlanhlamabaso92 garnered massive views, likes, and comments from social media users who shared the same sentiments as the men.
The video starts with a content creator interviewing three men at a traditional gathering. When asked for their take on the new ruling, the men's response was clear and unwavering. They question who would be responsible for lobola, stating that if a man were to take his wife's surname, the woman would have to pay the dowry.
KZN men stand firm on surnames
They argue that traditionally, a man pays lobola and then his wife takes his surname, and explain the significance of that. The three men further asserted that no Zulu man would ever agree to this new law.
One of them said that those who passed the law could practice it in their own spaces. He then asked an important question, wanting to know which ancestor they'd have to be introduced to, as is done when the wife changes to the husband's surname.
Source: TikTok
SA reacts to the new changes
The clip went viral, gaining massive views, likes, and over 2,000 comments from social media users who mostly agreed with the men. Many called the new law horrible, saying it was a way to undermine and kill African cultures. Some said there was no need to argue, as the Zulus would not do that, saying the government was trying to make it easy for foreigners to get citizenship.
Others said the timing of the announcement was to cover up a cartel that was exposed by Asians and also allegedly involved politicians.
User @Mzukulu_kabhanisi_nyandezulu commented:
"There is no need for us to argue, especially thina mazulu ngoba vele ngek siwenzne lombhedo (us Zulu's because we would never do that). The way I see it, for foreigners, it's going to be easier for them to get citizenship in South Africa since they're being chased out. So, the government of ANC has implemented this law, and there are a lot of women in Mzansi who are not married."
User @Masemola( royal priesthood) added:
"The constitution of South Africa has seriously undermined us as South African men."
User @fulu shared:
"You're not going to win this fight. The government is against the men."
User @Eddie commented:
"They're indirectly destroying our cultures, especially because they didn't canvass their position from the members of the public. This law is intended."
User @Jb4life shared:
"I love Zulu people. They love and protect their culture. Zulu's are not toys."
User @Thami said:
"They're shifting the focus from the cartels' case and politics."
Watch the TikTok video below:
3 Briefly News articles about Zulus
- A mother shared a hilarious video of her Zulu son insisting that he was Xhosa after a school friend, Hlomla, convinced him and the rest of the class that they were all Xhosas.
- A young Shembe bride was captured confidently doing a solo dance in front of her husband and guests during her traditional wedding.
- An Afrikaans-speaking man stopped three Zulu men who were proudly wearing their full traditional attire at a local grocery store to admire them.
Source: Briefly News
