Covid-19: May weddings postponed
Many couples who had planned to get married next month have had to change their plans.
ILENI NANDJATO
ONDANGWA
Many people who were planning to get married next month have postponed their weddings because of the coronavirus pandemic, while a few have decided to go ahead under the social distancing rule banning gatherings of more than 10 people.
Wedding planners say it is up to the couples to decide whether to go ahead during the traditional high season for wedding ceremonies.
In Namibia, many people exchange their marriage vows at magistrate's courts or at churches, and the festivities attract hundreds of people.
Under the Covid-19 state of emergency social gatherings are limited to 10 people.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (Elcin) secretary-general, Reverend Alpo Enkono, says many couples who had booked weddings for May have approached the church to postpone.
Church locked down
“There are many people who have booked their weddings with our congregations for next month, but they have started postponing them. As a church at the moment we have no say in their decision as the church council has not yet met,” Enkono said.
“The church council was scheduled to meet next month but due to the national lockdown and social gathering restriction the meeting might not be able to materialise. We have many things to discuss regarding church events that are affected by the pandemic.”
Enkono said at the moment they are just respecting the couples' decisions, but they will not give any advice.
Not just a party
Bishop Lukas Kaluwapa Katenda of the Reformed Evangelical Anglican Church (REACH) says couples who want to exchange their marriage vows have two options: to postpone or to go ahead, but adhere to the social distancing restrictions.
“Traditionally weddings are a proud event for couples and their parents. That is why to make it significant they invite a lot of people to witness such an achievement.
“Many people are therefore postponing, claiming that they have already spent a lot and have invited many people,” Katenda said.
“Marriage is however not about how many people attend the wedding. What is important is the two people who are exchanging their vows.
“That is why we are saying they can go ahead, as long as they are adhering to the social gathering restrictions.”
ONDANGWA
Many people who were planning to get married next month have postponed their weddings because of the coronavirus pandemic, while a few have decided to go ahead under the social distancing rule banning gatherings of more than 10 people.
Wedding planners say it is up to the couples to decide whether to go ahead during the traditional high season for wedding ceremonies.
In Namibia, many people exchange their marriage vows at magistrate's courts or at churches, and the festivities attract hundreds of people.
Under the Covid-19 state of emergency social gatherings are limited to 10 people.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (Elcin) secretary-general, Reverend Alpo Enkono, says many couples who had booked weddings for May have approached the church to postpone.
Church locked down
“There are many people who have booked their weddings with our congregations for next month, but they have started postponing them. As a church at the moment we have no say in their decision as the church council has not yet met,” Enkono said.
“The church council was scheduled to meet next month but due to the national lockdown and social gathering restriction the meeting might not be able to materialise. We have many things to discuss regarding church events that are affected by the pandemic.”
Enkono said at the moment they are just respecting the couples' decisions, but they will not give any advice.
Not just a party
Bishop Lukas Kaluwapa Katenda of the Reformed Evangelical Anglican Church (REACH) says couples who want to exchange their marriage vows have two options: to postpone or to go ahead, but adhere to the social distancing restrictions.
“Traditionally weddings are a proud event for couples and their parents. That is why to make it significant they invite a lot of people to witness such an achievement.
“Many people are therefore postponing, claiming that they have already spent a lot and have invited many people,” Katenda said.
“Marriage is however not about how many people attend the wedding. What is important is the two people who are exchanging their vows.
“That is why we are saying they can go ahead, as long as they are adhering to the social gathering restrictions.”
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