Why don�t �celebrity� marriages last?
Keletso Thobega | Wednesday June 17, 2015 10:07
It appears that so-called celebrity marriages are notorious for being short-lived.
When news of a celebrity marriage or break-ups makes the news, some people want to know the details because they see themselves in those people, and also admire their glitz, glamour and fame. It perhaps makes them feel better to realise that these seemingly “perfect” people have their equal share of heartbreaks, disappointment and betrayal.
But then again, why shouldn’t they? After all, they are human too.
Most celebrity marriages don’t always work out because the spotlights melts everything else; these relationships are built up, put on a pedestal and everybody watches in amusement as these two people try to live up to the image and hype created of their relationship. Since they have created an image of perfection, even if there are cracks, they just pretend to be happy for the sake of keeping up impressions, or sometimes even with the genuine hope that things will get better over time.
Marriage should be protected or else the institution is going to be reduced to nothingness. I don’t think marriage is necessarily bad idea, it’s just that people get married at the wrong time for the wrong reasons, have unrealistic expectations of being wed and don’t put in the necessary effort to make their marriage a success.
Pressure to get married has dire consequences because people rush to sign on the dotted line and make it official whereas they haven’t properly gauged the situation and person they are with, because some people seem to think getting married is a ‘status symbol’ and makes them better until they are in the hot kitchen and realise that owaai, ke bana hela jaaka bana ba malwapa a mangwe. Marriage is not like going out for a treat at KFC; it requires relentless hard work. To enter a marriage, tshwanetse wa be o hunetse tights tota!
Generally, “celebville” is not always the right place to find love; the relationships are usually flawed with many issues. Sometimes the problem is ‘third parties’; too many cooks spoil the broth!
On the flipside, it would be naive to assume that it’s only marriages of high profile or public figures that are marred by problems. Life is unpredictable. When it comes to love especially, there are really no guarantees. Even ordinary mere mortals like you and I face problems. Why should it be shameful?
Most people start relationships with the hope that they will last, but they sometimes don’t. I think as people we don’t prepare ourselves for change (that the other person or their circumstances will change over time), nor do we counsel ourselves enough to accept any curveballs that life throws our way. Of course, at times, you have had enough and feel compelled to throw in the towel.
This, regardless of whether you are a celebrity nor not…
This brings me to the interesting question, is a celebrity status worth it in Botswana? Who are the celebs here, and what are the criteria for becoming one? Why is it that many Batswana want to be “celebs” when it suites them? (When things are going well, they rub it in everyone’s face but when misery and sadness creep in, they want to shy away from the same media and people they have been engaging) Talk about double standards!
I once read an article in a local paper that argued that there are no celebrities in Botswana, but only public figures. I agree. Bo-celebnyana ba Botswana ke maaka hela. As much as I Keletso have never, and do not aspire to be a celebrity, I have realised that some people lap up “celebrity-hood” like a hungry man wiping off broth from a plate with a slice of bread. Yet they fail to accept that everything positive comes with negatives.
Celebrity status can be fickle and overwhelming. When things are good, many people will want to celebrate, smile and dance with the person, but when things go wrong, they are the same ones gossiping, throwing pity parties and sob sessions, while inwardly rejoicing or making the celebs the butt of their jokes.
However, that shouldn’t deter any hopes for everlasting love and happiness. After all, Modimo ga a fe ka letsogo!