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Polygamy: The first wife still rules

It has always been customary in Zulu culture for the wife to give consent before the man can take a second wife.

This is according to a Zulu culture expert Professor Sihawu Ngubane who said that polygamy is becoming more and more popular.

"It was never in writing but it was in practice. In the past, if the wife refused, the whole process would come to a standstill," Ngubane was quoted on TimesLIVE.

This comes after the controversial Zulu monarch, King Goodwill Zwelithini said that the law that states that the first wife’s consent is required before a man can take a second is “designed against our heritage”.

"In short, this law stipulates that if a man wishes to marry a second or third wife he needs to get written consent from the existing wife. As Zulus, we have never heard of this even in ancient times... If we do not agree we should invite the Constitutional Court to arbitrate for us," he said.

A lot of polygamists on Metro FM spoke out against King Zwelithini saying that life is a lot easier when the wife has given them consent because there is peace in the house.

One caller said that if the law is scrapped or gone against then a lot of men would just bring women into their homes claiming they are going to marry them.

 

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