The "vat-en-sit" unions as a threat to the stability of African marriage in South Africa: African theological pastoral perspective

Abstract

A serious issue, that needs to be addressed if we wish to achieve moral regeneration in South Africa, is the devaluation of the institution of marriage in the African community in South Africa. Attempts to inculcate the upcoming generation with norms and values are hampered because marriage is not regularised among black people and can, therefore, not solve African problems. This paper identifies the so-called “vat-en-sit” custom or cohabitation as a factor that threatens and violates marriage. Although other factors also undermine marriage, this paper focuses on vat-en-sit because it puts African marriage under serious attack. This paper argues from an African-Christian perspective that marital unions which have not been legalised in accordance with African values do not only undermine the institution of marriage, but also attempt to destroy marriages that conform to African legal values.