South Africa considers allowing one woman to marry multiple men

(CNN) – The South African government Has been studying the possibility of allowing women to have multiple husbands, which has caused great controversy in a project Conservatives of the country.
Scheme for admitting polyndry a Green paper (Anyone interested, especially before the law is amended or a new one is created, can read and make recommendations) From the South African Interior Ministry, it aims to make marriage more inclusive.

This option is one of many in a comprehensive document, but it has provoked intense debate in South Africa.

Polygamy, in which men marry multiple wives, is legal in the country.

The document states that “South Africa received a marriage rule based on Calvinist and Western Christian traditions, and that ‘current marriage laws’ are not governed by a global policy based on constitutional values ​​and an understanding of the dynamics of marriage.” Modern society.

The document points out that current law allows the marriage of minors and does not consider couples who want to change gender and marry without divorce.

As part of the drive to strengthen marriage policy, the department consulted with traditional leaders and human rights activists and other groups on key issues.

Activists

Human rights activists “insisted that polygamy be legally recognized as a form of marriage for equality.”

Authorities found that people had very different opinions about marriage, but one of the proposals put forward was to create a “gender-neutral” marriage plan.

Musa Meselu, photographed on September 7, 2016 in Gua Madlala, South Africa

“South Africa can end the classification of marriages on the basis of race, sexual orientation, religion and culture,” the recommendation says.

“This means that South Africa (unity) or the dual system of polygamy can be followed.”

Due to the element of gender neutrality, if it becomes law, this option will apply to both women and men, thus allowing polygamy.

Voices against the plan to allow polygamy in South Africa

The country’s conservatives were stunned by this advice.

A prominent face criticizing the project is Musa Messelku, a reality star with four wives.

“I am in favor of equality,” Messelu A said Video released On his own YouTube channel in May. In it he confirmed that the paternity of the Palindri children would cause suspicion.

“What family does this child belong to?” Asks Michel.

“Moreover, we are spiritual people,” he added. “Our spirits, our Creator, have seen us created in this way.”

“The mood is alien,” he said.

Mseleku expanded further On Facebook.

“Protecting our existence … is important for the present generation and the future,” he wrote in a post on May 17.

Process By participating in this process we will preserve our culture, traditions and customs. We will totally oppose Palindri.

According to the Department of the Interior, there was a perception among religious leaders that polygamy was not African.

The document noted that during conversations with traditional leaders, they believed that “only men are allowed to have multiple spouses.”

The document adds: “As a result, traditional leaders consider polygamy to be an unacceptable practice because it is not of African descent.”

The leader of the African Christian Democratic Party, the Rev. Fr. Kenneth Mesho also opposed the plan.

In an interview with the South African broadcaster ENCA, Mesho said that although polygamy is an “accepted practice”, polygamy is not.

“Men are jealous and possessive,” Mesho said, explaining why a marriage with multiple husbands doesn’t work.

Later in the document, officials said, “Although some shareholders believed in polygamy, there were those who opposed it. This applies equally to the Palindri practice. Paradoxically, partners who believed in the practice of polygamy opposed the practice of polygamy. ‘

The South African government is considering the document until June 30.