In the traditional African perspective, marriage is not only considered as a lifetime institution, but also as a symbol of oneness, where husband and wife would only separated by death. Below, is an experience shared by a couple that has lived a successful marriage for half a century.
In the traditional African perspective, marriage is not only considered as a lifetime institution, but also as a symbol of oneness, where husband and wife would only separated by death. Below, is an experience shared by a couple that has lived a successful marriage for half a century.
Born in 1936, in the Southern Province, Kalisa Kamanzi is a husband to Maria Abera, 68, born in the Northern Province. Since the couple got married in 1958, they have lived happily together.
Story of success
"Our marriage is not based on materials but true love, respect and endurance. Since we got married, we have never involved in serious misunderstandings that could prompt us into divorce or even separation,” said Kamanzi.
He also said that unconditional love has made their marriage what it is and helped them raise their family of eleven children and grand children.
"I love my wife so much and every time I look into her eyes I discover the beauty and uniqueness in her. And this has kept our love blossoming.”
"He gave me his love and we belong together,” said Abera.
"He loved me for whom I was, and we are still in love, only to be departed by death.”
Words of advice
The couple warns young lovers wishing to enter into marriage that it is an institution based on compromise. While marriage is a beautiful and wonderful thing, it is no bed of roses.
It is something of an uphill struggle to make it really work. The benefits are multiple but if couples are not prepared to work at it, such a union is likely to fail.
Marriage is a partnership and like any partnership it is the coming together of people with different ideas and objectives. There will be times when it seems impossible to agree and the path ahead looks likely to split.
But a compromise is the discovery of a common ground. It is the weighing up of any situation - an act done together and not alone.
A balance can be found when two people make every effort to understand their partner’s ‘pros and cons’ as well as their own.
Compromise will mean sacrifice and loss but it will also mean that the path of life can be carved out together. It will mean giving things up and letting opportunities pass but it will also mean unity and happiness.
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