'High divorce rate was appalling,' says once divorced Khaya Moyo

The government is worried about the high rate of divorce among young couples, the Senior Minister of State, Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo, has said. He said the high divorce rate was appalling and threatening the moral fabric of society.

Ambassador Moyo, who is also Zanu-PF national chairman and a former divorcee, made the remarks during the wedding ceremony of Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi's daughter Abigail in Beitbridge at the weekend.

Abigail, 32, tied the knot with her long time lover Malcom Ambrose, 33, a Bulawayo-based businessman at a colourful ceremony held at Kuduland, 40km west of Beitbridge town on Saturday afternoon.

The ceremony which included a helicopter ride by the newlyweds was attended by close to 1,500 guests from across the country and South Africa.

Ambassador Moyo urged young couples to go back to the marriage basics and respect the sanctity of the union.

He also stressed the need for young couples to go for counselling so that they could appreciate challenges that go with married life.

"As a government we are worried at the rate of separations or divorces among young couples and we hope that this demon will not visit this youthful couple who have brought all of us together today.

"We are very hopeful that they will live long and contribute effectively to nation building.

"Marriage is like planting a fruit tree which needs to be watered and taken care of by the couple collectively. Each family is a brick to the nation and their preserving of marriage helps us grow as a people and nation," he said.

Speaking at the same ceremony the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Cde Andrew Langa called on the youths to emulate Malcom and Abigail.

"We are proud that Abigail and Malcom have done well for their families and the Matabeleland South Province. My message to the youth is that they should stick to one partner and always respect the marriage institution," he said.

Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi described his second daughter's marriage as a bitter-sweet moment.

"I am very close to my daughters. Another part of me is happy that she is married while am also worried that I am letting her go.

"I wish them all the best in life. It is very important for the youths to preserve marriage which is part of our culture as mankind," he said.

His wife, Beitbridge Senator Cde Tambudzani Mohadi urged other women and youths to take a leaf from what she had done in raising her daughters.

"This is a second daughter that I am marrying today and I want to urge members of the community to always work hard in preserving the basics of marriage," she said.