Traditional leaders vow to fight same-sex marriage

Traditional leaders have pledged to campaign against same-sex marriages, describing them as "wicked, decadent and immoral". Their statement forms part of the outcome of a conference held by the National House of Traditional Leaders (NHTL) and their provincial representatives in Hazyview, Mpumalanga.

The aim of the two-day meeting was to "try to embark on a journey of self-discovery through African Renaissance," the leaders said. "While we respect the judgment of the Constitutional Court, traditional leaders are generally disappointed that this immoral practice has been given a lifeline by our courts," read a statement issued today. "Traditional leaders would like to categorically state that they do not support the legalisation of same-sex marriages."

The leaders said same-sex marriages did not "fulfill" the notion of what a marriage is in the African culture. "In terms of African culture, marriage is not only for two persons but it's a union that joins families and even tribes. This kind of marriage (same-sex marriages) does not fulfill the notion of marriage in African culture, as only a man can pay lobola for a woman."

Victimisation
They said allowing such unions to take place would result in couples being victimised in communities, especially in the rural areas.

Last week, the Constitutional Court ruled it was unconstitutional to prevent gay people from enjoying the legal benefits of marriage. The court gave Parliament one year to rework laws allowing same sex unions. It said if Parliament did not do this in one year, the Marriage Act would be rewritten to include the words "or spouse" to allow these unions to take place.

Other issues that came under the spotlight at the NHTL conference were the commercialisation of lobola, which the leaders blamed on extravagant weddings. They said these served to push up the price of lobola. - Sapa