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Mma Mosojane’s Traditional Wisdom
THE VOICE OF THE DEAD
Jun. 7 | In most African languages there is an expression to the effect that the voice of the dead must be respected. This seems to explain why a lot of us are reluctant to plan will writing as we think we will have time to verbalise our wishes to people...
LOVE, GREED AND FAILING TRADITIONS
May. 31 | Most African cultures strived to maintain justice and peace in the family by taking care of women and children. There are quite a number of idiomatic expressions that confirm that the older generation valued family life and would do all they could...
THE STRENGTH OF A WOMAN
May. 24 | One of the principals of customary law is the expectation that it will conform to morality as understood by ordinary folk. There are times however when I wonder if there are any ‘ordinary folk’ left out there. As we strive to resolve the...
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF AN ANGRY HUSBAND
May. 17 | As a child of the 60’s I am reminded of a popular protest song back in the day entitled, “The Times they are a’ Changing.” The Bob Dylan inspired number was an anthem of change for a generation that felt the old ‘established’ order was out-dated...
MOTHERHOOD NOT FOR COWARDS
May. 10 | Perhaps one of the hardest calculations to balance is the mother + father = child equation. As I share with you this week’s customary court scenario our story shows how something as natural as childbirth can unbalance and break a mother’s heart until...
LOOKING AFTER NUMBER ONE
May. 3 | Traditionally parents believed that their children would always be part of them – sharing a life where support and love would flow to all concerned. Loving and giving has always been an integral component of African culture and it also suggests that...
TURNING TO FACE THE CHANGE
Apr. 26 | I am convinced that “change” is the most elusive and difficult thing to manage. We live in a fast changing world but somehow nothing prepares us to formulate relevant responses to match the “change elements” that confront us with the same...
MA MOSOJANE’S TRADITIONAL WISDOM
Apr. 19 | Although SA president Jacob Zuma has done his best to reverse the trend, it was only during the colonial era that plural marriage was perceived as taboo, Traditionally in Africa polygamy has existed as an aspect of culture or/and religion. But whilst...
A DEEPER SHADE OF SOUL
Apr. 12 | “A nation without a culture is a nation without a soul,” is an often-repeatedslogan inspired by Sir SeretseKhama’s famous declaration back in 1970. And whilst the first President’s actual words referred to a ‘people without a past,’ the issue...
LEFT HOLDING THE BABY
Mar. 29 | ASSESSING THE DAMAGE – A QUESTION OF PERSPECTIVE When affixing the label ‘Discrimination Against Women’ I sometimes wonder if the tag can be used to hide moments of female weakness as much as it does to expose the power wielded by the so-called...
THE REALITY OF LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT
Mar. 22 | INSTANT LOVE -INSTANT INFECTION MARCH is designated as the month of Youth Against HIV/AIDS and forms part of the government’s prevention strategy in a business that is a 24/7 all year round battle. Each year the emphasis is on young people taking responsibility...
STANDING UP FOR WOMAN’S RIGHTS
Mar. 15 | EQUALITY BEGINS IN THE HOME LAST week International Woman’s Day was celebrated around the world with other events to mark the economic, political and social achievements of] women continuing throughout the month. This year the theme is, ‘The Gender...
THE INSIGNIFICANT OATH
Mar. 1 | MARRIAGE VOWS AND BROKEN PROMISES I once heard the comment that political promises are much like marriage vows. They are made at the beginning of the relationship between candidate and voter, but are quickly forgotten. Whatever your views on the subject,...
WHEN LOVE AND MARRIAGE BECOME UNCOMFORTABLE BEDFELLOWS
Feb. 22 | You might have heard me in a panel discussion on national radio last week in a series of stimulating and at times heated debates on marriage. Actually the discussions were more about the shocking divorce statistics and exploring how the institution of...
CULTURAL VALUES AND CUPIDS ARROWS
Feb. 15 | This week as we celebrate the Valentine magic my column explores and exposes how a one-day wonder of love can trigger a chain reaction that is likely to make a permanent dent in the life of an unsuspecting individual. Let me take you to a customary...
THE WISDOM OF THE HEART
Feb. 8 | The mother and child reunion Whilst the basic human values of love, truth, non-violence, peace and right conduct are changeless and timeless, there is no doubt that there has been a value shift over the years in our society. Cultural values have been...
TWO FATHERS ONE DAUGHTER
Feb. 1 | There is a Setswana expression, “Ngwana o itsiwe sereto ke mmaagwe” meaning that only the mother knows who the father of her child is. In recent years there has been a growing number of false accusations concerning paternity. In some cases the courts...
GOLEDZWA 2013!
Jan. 18 | Let me take this unique opportunity to say Goledzwa to all the readers of Traditional Wisdom. There is magic about the new year that we cannot shake off. We all feel renewed and refreshed by the new season such that we imagine that we have the energy...
THE DISTORTED PRIORITIES OF A CHANGING CULTURE
Dec. 28 | Christmas has always had a magical appeal that moves people to go out of their way to please their loved ones. There is no doubt that Christmas is a time to celebrate, to have fun and give families the opportunity to get together to renew their bonds. It...
