Brilliant Khoza - Lobola (Bridal Price) pt 2

Brilliant Khoza and his lady love, Sithabiso Thsuma

It was interesting catching up with Brilliant and Sithabiso on the process of the negotiations. This is what Brilliant said.......

"I went with Gilbert Thebe to meet Sithabiso's family at Natisa (Natisa is approximately 10 -12km from Crossroads) We arrived there and I didn't know how to 'behave'.As soon as we arrived at the gate of the home, we saw an old lady (gogo) who was also attending the negotiations and she told us not to stand. We had to kneel down which culturally is a sign of respect. We knelt for an hour before being taken into the home.
We were then told to sit on the floor and not on the chairs. We were not allowed to speak until we had paid some money for (isivulamlomo - open our mouth). The cost for that was $200.00. I had to pay another $100.00 for "seeing" their daughter Sithabiso and another $300.00 in the form of a heifer so that we could introduce ourselves. That was the first part.

The second part is when the aunties and grannies came into the house to introduce themselves and to allow me to be part of the family."

By Wednesday 29th August 2012, Brilliant will need to:

1. Buy a scarf for one of the aunts
2. Buy a coat for a man in Sithabiso's family
3. Buy a metal jug for one of the family members
4. Buy a blanket again for one of the family members

Once this is paid for and given to Sithabiso's family, Brilliant and Sithabiso will then announce their wedding date (Church wedding). Brilliant will also be charged the lobola (bridal price) which at this stage, he isn't quite sure how much it will be.

Both Brilliant and Sithabiso felt that the negotiations went well and that Sithabiso's family were appreciative and thankful with all that happened. Sithabiso said she felt great and was honoured by the proceedings.

An update will be given after Wednesday 29th when Brilliant will find out the bridal price.

By Molly Manhanga