Last Saturday, I had the pleasure of being the host and facilitator of the premiere of Sihle Hlophe’s award-winning documentary film Lobola: A Bride’s True Price? The film follows the journey of the said filmmaker and director who, faced with the impending approach of her marriage, questions the notion of ilobolo, a ritual that is widely practiced across the African continent.

The film charts Hlophe's journey from several years before her wedding up until the big day, during which time she documents numerous lobola negotiations around the country in an effort to properly research the issue. Fuelled by the tensions between her personal beliefs and her desire to please her family and respect her culture and ancestors, the film echoes tensions similar in cultures the world over in terms of shifting gender roles in the 21st century...