By Palesa Ndinisa
Spring has sprung, which means wedding season has begun. Newly weds who have been in relationships for over five (5) years speak on the joy of marriage, especially when young.
Thapelo Mphaki, (28) and his wife, Mmathapelo Mphaki (28) both born in Tsakane speak on the delight of their marriage thus far. The young couple has been in matrimony for over three years and encourage their peers to experience love. Whilst engaging with Mphaki and his wife, it is hard to miss that the two are smitten with each other. “I vouch for my age mates to get married as early as possible, as long as they met the right person, and have the means to get married because we know weddings are expensive. I saved up for lobola (bride price) when I was still doing my in-service training. My wife and I dated since high school so I knew I wanted to spend my whole life with her. I wouldn’t do this life thing without her,” excitedly expressed Mphaki. His wife, Mmathapelo, also shared how marriage is a blessing when done with the right person. “We have our differences but we never sleep without talking to each other. No matter how angry we are, we have made it a rule that each person has two hours to process their emotions. We don’t speak in the heat of rage or anger to avoid disrespect or saying things we don’t mean. After two hours, we come together and talk about the issue in a calm manner. That has been working for us since we dated over ten years ago,” added Mrs. Mphaki. The two also mentioned that they are in a position of pursuing their Honours Degree within their respective fields of study and are celebrating their youth in their marriage, affirming that they plan to have children in their early thirties.
Another couple from Springs, Sipho Thabethe (35) and Okuhle Thabethe (26) divulge on the highs of their union. The couple has been married for eight months and in a relationship for just over two years. “I dated my wife for a year, then sent my uncles to negotiate lobola (bride price) for me. I knew she was the one that I wanted to have my last name within six months of being together. She made me understand the saying ‘a man always knows who he’ll marry’. Unfortunately, I never felt that in my previous relationships and I guess it wasn’t meant to be. Okuhle was different, she felt like home. A lot of people had a lot to say considering our age difference, especially because I have two children from my previous relationship. This woman is smart, charming and kind. There was no way I would let her go,” happily attested Mr. Thabethe. Mid conversation with the couple, Okuhle surely shows her adoration for her husband by her gaze. She furthermore explained how beautiful her journey has been since she met her husband. “I come from a strict family so my family didn’t allow me to stay with my husband until he finished all he was accustomed to do traditionally. I officially moved into our home after uMembeso and uMkhehlo (Zulu traditional wedding where gifts are exchanged between the bride and groom’s families after the process of bride price). This man treats me like his queen. I get breaks in between being a new mom to a two-month infant. He cooks when he has to, cleans, he takes care of all our children when he has to and honestly reminds me that it’s okay to be tired from the roles I play as I’m only human. I won a jackpot here. He’s my earthly king indeed,” ecstatically said Okuhle.
Although marriage is not the same for all people, the couples pointed out their experiences to encourage young adults that healthy marriages do exist in this generation where lust seemingly took over love.
