Gaborone, Botswana – This year’s Marriage Builder seminar, a long-standing event that promotes the strength and value of marriage, raised alarm over the decline in new marriages across the country. Held under the theme “Resist the Drift and Reconnect,” the two-day event focused on addressing the rise in divorce rates and the growing gap between couples in marital relationships.
Recent data from Statistics Botswana shows a sharp decline in new marriages—from 7,631 in 2021, to 5,642 in 2022, and further down to just 4,789 in 2023, representing a 15.1% decrease. These figures were presented during the event by Apostle Kabelo Mogomotsi, co-founder of The Marriage Builder, who emphasized the urgency of intervening with meaningful programmes to support and restore marriage as an institution.
Summary of Figures:
- Years Covered: 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2023
- Total Marriages (2018–2020): 18,104
- Total Divorces (2018–2020): 36,208
- Marriage Drop in 2023: 15.1% decrease from 2022
- Average Annual Divorce Filings (Recent Years): ~4,000
- Divorce Rate for First-Time Marriages: 43%–46%
“We can’t ignore these numbers. They reflect a deeper social issue. We need not only to talk about it, but to implement real solutions that help build and protect marriages and family units,” Apostle Kabelo said.
Two-Day Seminar Focuses on Reconnection and Communication
In its 17th edition, the event hosted around 230 married individuals, including family support advocates like Dr. Gure, known for the phrase “Re Tiisa Malapa,” as well as Percy and Ashley Thaba of the Healthy Families Foundation, and Life Coach and Pastor Boago Ramogapi of The Love Train.
Topics covered included:
- Two Are Better Than One
- Unpacking Communication in Marriage
- Balancing Work and Marriage
- Tools for a Glorious Marriage
Couples from across Botswana and even South Africa—Kasane, Nata, Mahalapye, Selibe Phikwe and beyond—attended the seminar, which allowed ample time for open discussion and practical lessons.
Pushback Against Contract Marriage Proposal
One issue that sparked dialogue was MP Mabuse Pule’s proposal to introduce short-term contract marriages. Citing high divorce rates, Pule suggested legalizing marriages that could last six or twelve months with an option to separate at the end of the term.
However, Apostle Kabelo opposed the idea, saying that what couples need is proper counselling, not temporary contracts.
“Marriage requires teaching and growth, not an escape clause. The Bible says ‘Where there is no counsel, the people fall’,” he said, quoting Proverbs 11:14.
Emphasis on Communication, Maturity, and Service
Speakers throughout the event stressed that communication and maturity are the backbone of a lasting marriage.
Coach Boago Ramogapi described maturity as the ability to “do the right thing even when it’s hard.”
Psychotherapist Botho Ntshwaneng encouraged couples to embrace acts of service—like preparing meals or ironing clothes—as forms of communication.
“Even silence is communication,” she noted.
Apostle Dr. Enock Setima urged couples to recognize marriage as a gift from God, saying, “Potential brings you together, but reality keeps you together.”
Precious Kabelo, also a co-founder of the event, said the extended two-day format allowed for deeper conversations and stronger bonding among attendees and speakers.
