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Say ‘No’ To Marriages Of Convenience

Say ‘No’ To Marriages Of Convenience

I THINK it is time that Namibian women realise what foreigners are looking for in marriages of convenience.

It is clear to the foreigners because they want to benefit in terms of getting citizenship through marriage and getting to stay in the country. What happens after such marriage? This is the question every Namibian woman should ask herself whenever they are involved or have an affair with foreigners.The Ministry of Home Affairs have been faced with this situation and it is really difficult to control since these acts are done by Namibian women.The marriage does not last long and then the poor woman often has to go and report the person to the Ministry responsible tat the man has another woman or has abandoned the wife.Traditionally in Namibia, no one can marry someone’s daughter without the parents’ consent, and in other tribal cultures there is what is called lobola, and it is mostly payable to the daughter’s parents before she marries.This is not always the case anymore as people just run off to court and get a ring on their finger.I would like to recommend that the Ministry responsible should not allow Namibian women to marry foreigners without the consent of the woman’s parents.How can a qualified marriage officer at the level of magistrate allow a girl of 18 years of age to get married without parents as witnesses? This happens more in Windhoek and Katutura because it is more difficult for children to do this in rural areas without parental detection.If some argue that people over 18 years are old enough to decide for themselves, then I think the relevant legislation needs to be revised.B M Mabakeng ErongoWhat happens after such marriage? This is the question every Namibian woman should ask herself whenever they are involved or have an affair with foreigners.The Ministry of Home Affairs have been faced with this situation and it is really difficult to control since these acts are done by Namibian women.The marriage does not last long and then the poor woman often has to go and report the person to the Ministry responsible tat the man has another woman or has abandoned the wife.Traditionally in Namibia, no one can marry someone’s daughter without the parents’ consent, and in other tribal cultures there is what is called lobola, and it is mostly payable to the daughter’s parents before she marries.This is not always the case anymore as people just run off to court and get a ring on their finger.I would like to recommend that the Ministry responsible should not allow Namibian women to marry foreigners without the consent of the woman’s parents.How can a qualified marriage officer at the level of magistrate allow a girl of 18 years of age to get married without parents as witnesses? This happens more in Windhoek and Katutura because it is more difficult for children to do this in rural areas without parental detection.If some argue that people over 18 years are old enough to decide for themselves, then I think the relevant legislation needs to be revised.B M Mabakeng Erongo

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