Hello dear subscribers, and welcome to another newsletter from South Africa Insight!
Today, I have quite a story to share with you, as I was thrown into the world of cultural differences and customs.
As many of you know, I've been closely following an Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) activist group both before and during the national shutdown protest. As I was sifting through videos and footage captured during these events, I stumbled upon an intriguing offer made by one of the EFF activists. One of the charms of editing is getting to relive the events again in the editing room, and I had actually forgotten that I was supposed to pass on this greeting to our viewers.
In the video, the woman, who hails from the Xhosa tribe, shares her desire to find a suitable husband for her daughter. She states that anyone interested in marrying her daughter must pay a dowry of 15 cows, and then a deal can be made.
This dowry practice, known as lobola, is deeply ingrained in many African cultures, including the Xhosa tribe. The official framing of Lobola is that it serves as a sign of commitment and respect from the groom's family towards the bride's family. However, I have a hard time seeing it through that lens, as it’s a practice where the daughter is practically sold through a transactional arrangement and the focus seems to be on the payment ability rather than the character of the prospective spouse.
I must admit, I was quite surprised when she told me this because I wasn't really aware that this practice was still so prevalent. Of course, I've heard about it, but I didn't expect to witness it being practiced in such an open manner. It's a bit strange to think that a mother has only this requirement for her daughter's future spouse.
As some of you might know, I'm already engaged to be married, so this offer is up for grabs for our viewers. As promised, I'm sharing this video with you, which offers a unique glimpse into the Xhosa culture and its marriage customs.
As I wrap up this newsletter, I wanted to let you all know that I'm currently in the process of editing a mini-documentary featuring the EFF activist group I've been following. In this documentary, you'll get an inside look at their preparations before the national shutdown protest and their actions during the protest itself. This eye-opening account will provide a deeper understanding of the EFF's motivations and tactics. Stay tuned for its release in the coming weeks, and be sure to subscribe to our newsletter so you don't miss out on this exclusive content.
Thank you for your continued support, and I'll be in touch with more insights and stories soon.
Take care!
Jonas Nilsson
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