Lobola is part of the occasion that allows families together. Abolishing this is no doubt t eliminating family gatherings. Although it is like that let’s not rule out the aspect of commercialization activities. LobolaLobola is defined as a bride price especially one paid by cattle.
It is a marriage tradition practiced for centuries by cultures in Southern Africa. It is a kind of payment called the bride wealth whereby the grooms family pays the bride before marriage.
The assertion that the paying of lobola must be abolished is debatable. It is unequivocal and I’m in agreement with the motion. Lobola has become a tool for exploiting women, reducing them to mere commodities.
First and foremost, lobola should not be abolished as it promotes respect and appreciation as it is a way of showing respect and appreciation for the bride’s family and for the woman herself. It demonstrates the groom’s commitment to taking care of his bride and her family. Abolishing lobola would mean losing this important way of showing respect and appreciation. In many African cultures, respect and appreciation are shown through gifts and other forms of exchange and lobola is an important part of this tradition.
Secondly, there is the loss of cultural heritage associated with eradicating this cultural practice. Abolishment of lobola would mean losing a significant part of African cultural heritage. Lobola is an important tradition that has been passed down for generations, and cultural identity. Many African cultures place a strong emphasis on tradition and cultural heritage, and abolishing lobola would be seen as a rejection of these values.
Lobola is a symbol of commitment and responsibility, demonstrating the groom’s willingness to take care of the bride and her family. When lobola is abolished humanity will have taken away the pride and value of commitment which is a responsibility and highly favored.The practise also values women as they are the backbone of society. Devaluing them by removing the practice of paying lobola can increase GBV cases as some men can begin belittling women as there will be no value attached to them.
Lobola helps strengthen family ties and create a sense of unity between two families. Lobola is regarded as a way of bringing the families together, Lobola validates and authenticates the approval of both parents of both intended couples to get married.
Lobola has significant cultural and spiritual meaning and abolishing it would be a loss of cultural and spiritual identity. In many African cultures, lobola is seen as a way of connecting with one’s ancestors and with spiritual realm, abolishing it would mean losing this important connection.
A society that truly values equality can not tolerate the practice of lobola which inherently devalues women by treating them as commodities being bought and sold; it is time to dismantle this archaic custom and pave the way for a future where marriage is based on mutual respect, love and partnership not a transactional exchange-lobola must be abolished.
Lobola perpetuates the notion that women are inferior to men and can be bought and sold like commodities. This reinforces the patriarchal attitudes that prevalent in many societies, where women are seen as subrogate to men. By paying lobola, men are essentially buying the right to marry a woman, which reduces her to a commodity.
Lobola can lead to exploitation of women, particularly those from poor or vulnerable backgrounds. Women may be forced to marry order men who are much older, or who have more power and influence, in order to secure a better life for themselves and their families. This can lead to a loss of autonomy and agency for women.
Lobola reinforces patriarchal systems, where men hold power and control over women’s lives and bodies. This perpetuates the notion that men are superior to women and have the right to control and dominate them. It creates hierarchy in the marriage institution which forms a basis for unequal power relations between husbands and wives. In its form and procedure, lobola perpetuates the subjugation of women and men. Women are subjected to control by men. This violates equal rights enshrined in Section 56 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, Amendment [No20]Act 2013[hereafter reoffered to as 2013 Zimbabwean Constitution].
Last but not least, lobola can limit social mobility. Individuals from poor or marginalized backgrounds may be excluded from marrying into wealthier or more influential families due to their inability to pay lobola. This can perpetuate cycles of poverty and inequality.
Lastly, lobola can violate human rights, particularly the right to equality, dignity and freedom from exploitation and abuse. The practice of lobola can be seen as a form of exploitation, where women are treated as commodities rather than as human beings with inherent dignity and worth, therefore lobola should be abolished.
