Marriage ban Cripples Maun economy

Boniface Keakabetse | Monday February 24, 2014 16:36

 

Marriages were banned by the Batawana royals from September to March, as the royals declared that families should concentrate on arable farming.

Now various businesses in Maun are up in arms and are trying to force the Batawana Royal family to rescind its decision.

A group of enterpreneurs, whose wedding-related businesses have been affected by the ban met Kgosi Kealetile Moremi on Thursday to request her to rescind the decision. The royals supported by Morafe banned marriages both under customary and common law.

The meeting was attended by business people representatives and Bogosi but the private press was locked out while the government press was allowed in.

A representative of the group Moses Tshwang told The Monitor that businesses like photography, hiring of sound equipment, printing, hospitality sector, transport services, tents hires, tailor shops and entertainers have been seriously affected. He said marriages happen mostly from October-December and small businesses make a killing from them. “We get a lot of business during the marriage period.

The ban seriously affected us,” one entrepreneur told The Monitor. He also revealed that youth owned businesses that were covered for tailoring, tent hiring, sound and photography under the Youth Grant Scheme targeted the festive marriages but this was in vain.

He further revealed that some of the businesses who received loans from banks are failing to pay their monthly premiums. The ban also affected the hospitality sector as their venues are hired for catering services, photo shooting and receptions. Tshwang revealed that some of the businesses are now unable to pay rent because they missed the festive windfall due to the ban. He said they started the New Year without funds to meet their operating costs.

Some of the businesses like tailors still have stock they intended to sell end of 2013. According to Tshwang the decision was taken without consultation with all the stakeholders involved.  He said the Bogosi need to understand that Maun is a commercial centre attracting business people from all over the country.

“We are not against them reviving their culture. This is their village and tribal territory. But the timing of this ban was not right for our business.”

Efforts to reach the royal family for comment were not successful.

Tshwang however, revealed that Kgosi Moremi promised she will call a Kgotla meeting to get a go ahead from the tribe whether the ban should be revoked or not. He said Moremi told them that the decision was taken by Morafe and is only them that can revoke it.