Mmegi spoke to the residents of the dusty village of Borolong, a few kilometres west of Francistown, about the Bill.
At Mokwena ward, Lesedi Gabonowe - a staunch follower of Setswana tradition condemned the Bill in its entirety. “I always listen to the radio and it breaks my heart to see our nation distancing itself from its roots. The act will bring nothing but pain to us.” She said families are going to break as a result of the Bill.
“The husband is supposed to be the head and not the wife,” she said. She pointed out that God has not created women to be heads of families. “Why do we have to counter nature? The mother of nine said the woman’s place is in the kitchen. “My husband has always provided for the family and that should be the case. Young people are just bringing about confusion. We already have high divorce rates and this will worsen the situation.”
The 78-year-old Tlholego Atamelang shared the sentiments with Gabonowe. She accused the youth of alienating themselves from their culture. “Even today’s leadership has no backbone. They fail to lead the nation to the right paths. I pity the young people of this country because they will not taste the peace of marriage.” She said there is no institution that can operate without subordinates; there should always be the head.
Mmakgang Lerole said she has mixed feelings about the Bill. “Men of today are irresponsible. The new act will therefore empower their spouses who are already loaded with the responsibility of taking care of the family.”
However, Lerole feared that some women would take advantage and disrespect their husbands.
Another elder, Kelekwe Kgang said the Bill is a pure disgrace to Setswana tradition. “Ga go dirwe jalo ngwanaka, monna ke tlhogo, le re tlhabisa ditlhong. Kgang said the new bill would only bring shame to the marriage institution, “as the elders have taught us that the husband is the provider, it is therefore pointless to worry about giving women the financial powers”. Kgang emphasised the importance of sticking to Setswana roots.
Contrary to what the elders said, young people feel that the Bill is good. Kebaeditse Podile said men and women are both educated and can all provide for the family. “So why should another partner be treated as a minor? She said certain laws are results of oppression of the past and they should be rectified. She pointed out that women in rural areas should be taught about their rights. “Otherwise the law will not benefit them.” Motlalepula Ramaijane, a housewife, refuted allegations that the Bill will reverse the situation and give women grounds to be abusive. “I don’t see how this will affect families, people should learn to communicate and discuss family issues.” She emphasised the importance of teaching women about their rights. “Emang basadi should not concentrate their services in Gaborone. Abuse is prevalent in rural areas and that is where education should be intensified.”
Maria Kajane said the Bill is a chance to show men that “we are equally capable.”
“I have been married for 14 years and have always felt like a child. So it’s time that I feel like a woman,” she said. Toroentle Ketshwenyegile said the Bill will not change anything as women have always been the backbone of families. “Any woman walks over her husband would have not been influenced by the law. This would be because of her personality, and even before the Bill, there were wives who disrespected their husbands.
The Bill is not at fault, but we as human beings.”
Mannana Kgopa said the Bill came late. “Women have been abused for a long time and this should stop. Not only that, women have been financially disempowered.”
