UMHLANGA A ‘SHAME TO GOD’
BETHANY – Children under the care of New Hope Centre orphanage are prohibited from attending any cultural events, such as Umhlanga, as these are described as ‘a shame unto God’.
This is according to the Policy and Code of Conduct for New Hope Centre in Bethany, near Matsapha.
The centre currently keeps about 50 children – both boys and girls.
Under the title Umhlanga, the policy states: “No girl from New Hope Centre will ever be involved in parading her body naked before any man except her husband, as this is a shame unto the Lord our God.
“God sacrificed the first animal on earth to clothe Adam and Eve after they lost their glory through sin and disobedience.”
The policy goes on to provide that, “Children may be forced to depart from the New Hope Centre due to their refusal to live by the rules and policies and guidelines.”
In this event, a Social Welfare officer shall be called to prepare alternative living arrangements for the child. The child will be transferred to their family’s members or an alternative care centre.
In relation to marriage of an orphaned child, New Hope Centre will be responsible for counselling the couple in Christian marriage and commitment. The family of the child will be invited to the wedding and may give gifts as they desire.
However, no cattle will ever be exchanged for a woman from the New Hope Centre, as she is precious and worthy as a human being, to be treasured and nurtured by a loving and Godly husband. No cattle will be paid by New Hope Centre for any young woman marrying a New Hope Centre young man.
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