Polygamy still popular for many

MARANYANE NGWANAAMOTHO
Staff Writer | Friday January 8, 2010 00:00

Some argue that the fact that some people keep multi-concurrent relationships proves that there is a burning desire for people to have more than one partner. 

In Botswana, polygamy is no new concept. Many grandparents in this country married more than once, with claims that they lived well under the circumstances. The older generation claims that social ills such as a high divorce rate, passion killings as well as diseases did not prevail at that time. They further claim that society was more organised and disciplined. But could we go back to old times?

Though it seems to be a thing of the past, there are some young people who would still like to follow the footsteps of their ancestors.  Kefeditse Keitumetse, aged 26, says that she would not have a problem with polygamy, but would not like it if the whole set up became abusive.  Most young men consulted by Mmegi love the idea of marrying more than once, 'if it was not illegal under government laws,' they say. 

Though a great number of men embrace the idea, most women, young and old, do not approve of polygamous marriages. Tinabo America, aged 17, says that another woman would steal the husband's attention from her.  Wamakgoa Chapete, aged 74, says that there are always going to be rivalries among the wives, which does not create a good atmosphere for a home.  She added that because of 'ditshwanelo' and property ownership, differences among the wives are unavoidable.  Emeldah Majafi, 49, says that because of sexually transmitted diseases and other new infections, polygamy is not the best thing in this day and age. She says that life in general is expensive and some men might not be able to provide for their wives and children, which creates even more problems.   Uyapo Ndadi, Acting Director of BONELA, advises people to have the choice to marry as they wish, whether it is monogamous or polygamous. He, however, emphasised that polygamy is only permissible under customary law while common law compels one to marry only one partner at a time.