THE process of lobola has always been a hot topic in Mzansi and Sihle Hlophe has decided to take the conversation even further.
The director and executive producer from Mbombela in Mpumalanga made a documentary called Lobola, A Bride’s True Price.
The docu-series that’s showing on SABC1 follows different couples as they go through their lobola negotiations.
The first part of the show aired on Monday, 27 March and the second and last part will be flighted on 3 April.
Sihle (36) spoke to SunBuzz about what inspired the doccie.
“Growing up, we always thought about how things are done when it comes to lobola. We thought about the money exchange, how women have been put on the table to be discussed in terms of how educated they are, where they come from, do they have kids and how they look. I have always had an issue with that.
“When I got engaged, I thought this would now be happening to me. Those questions started to shock me more. Some of the things were degrading for me and are degrading for other women as well,” she said.
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The director said she’s learning a lot through this series.
“So, I decided to go to lobola ceremonies of other couples and through each journey, we learnt different things. I have found some answers to the questions I had. Like seeing the difference in how Christian families do things differently from the ones who follow African spirituality,” she said.
I also learnt about the currency of cattle versus money, you can’t compare cattle with money.
However, she said the docu-series is more than just about lobola.
“We’ve already taken it to about six provinces for community screenings and we’ll have more. The point of the film is also for people to understand the implications of lobola. It falls under the customary marriage act and people don’t know that if you pay lobola before signing a prenup, you’re married in community of property.
“We hope these conversations continue. We hope people understand this not just about culture, but the legal side of it as well,” she said.
Catch Lobola, A Bride’s True Price on Monday, 3 April on SABC1 at 9pm.
