Nolwizi, a victim of forced marriage

An age old custom in South Africa traditionally allowed parents to arrange the marriages of their children in exchange for a bride price or, as it is commonly referred to in South Africa, lobolo. Jocelyne Sambira reports.

Girls, as young as 14, are kidnapped and forced to marry complete strangers who are much older. Although the custom was abandoned in the early 60s, in villages like Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape where Nolwizi Sinama lives, the tradition is still in force. Having lost both parents, Nolwizi was set up by her Aunt and sold to a 48 year old man. She was kidnapped while fetching water at the river.

Listen: Child Brides for Sale
[audio:http://downloads.unmultimedia.org/radio/en/ltd/mp3/2010/15_forcedmarriage.mp3|titles=Child Brides for Sale]

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