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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: ACT (05/05/22)
Saturday, 29 June 1985: St. James Church, Bedfordview

“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

Deafening cheers erupted as the pastor finished his words. Everyone in the church knew the import of the words, and indeed of the act that had taken place before them. Johan van Niekerk and his beautiful bride, Bohlokoa, were now man and wife. A legal wedding.

Wednesday, 30 March 1983: Witswatersrand University, Johannesburg

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t see you there.” Johan tried to keep hold of his books, whilst picking up the binders and books of the person he’d inadvertently bumped into.
“No. It was my fault.”
Johan looked up from his stooped position and into the most striking dark chocolate eyes he had ever seen. Realizing that he was staring, he hastily handed the books over. “Sorry. I’m running late.”

The owner of the wonderful eyes smiled, and Johan’s heart skipped a beat. Now that he could see more than her eyes, he was captivated – her delicate features were accentuated by her sable skin.
“I understand. I need to get to my class too. Perhaps we will be bump into each other again?”
Johan nodded but before he could say anything further, she was gone.

Since this was the first year Wits was allowing black students into the all-white bastion of education, she wasn’t hard to find. In the sea of white faces, her dark features stood out. The following day Johan saw her again.

“I’m Johan,” he said.
Shyly she responded, “ I’m Bohlokoa.”

In the days and weeks that followed, they got to know each other. Cafeteria lunches turned into study dates, and friendship blossomed into love. As 1983 turned into 1984, it was apparent that what Johan and Bohlokoa shared was not a student romance, but a true abiding love.

Long discussions about their future ensued – Johan was almost done with medical school and Bohlokoa was in the middle of law school studies – could they make a go of it?

“What you’re doing is not legal,” Maria, Johan’s mother said. “I know you love her, we love her too, but you could be arrested! Thrown in jail. You’d lose everything you’ve worked for!”
“Ma. I know. But this is so wrong. I should be able to marry the woman I love.”
“Ag, ja, I know, my seun.” Maria wrapped her arms around her son. “But please, show wisdom.”

December 1984

“Johan, come quickly,” Bohlokoa called from the common area of their dorm building. “Come and watch this.” The 6 o’clock news was on.
“In the latest bid to stop sanctions against South Africa Prime Minister P. W. Botha is working with Parliament to revoke some of the long-standing apartheid acts put in place after 1948…”

Johan and Bohlokoa looked at each other in disbelief and amazement.
“Do you think?” “Is it possible?” they said together and then burst into laughter.
“I think we can start planning it,” Johan exclaimed.

Wednesday, 19 June 1985

“In breaking news, today the South African government has repealed the Mixed Marriages and Immorality Act of 1949…”

This was the moment Johan and Bohlokoa had been waiting for. Everything had been planned, they just needed to know they could marry legally. Ten days later they stood in front of friends and family and vowed to love each other in sickness and in health, for richer and poorer until death.

As they walked out of the church, triumphant in their love, Bohlokoa leant over and whispered to Johan, “I really hope our plan to move to Cape Town works. I wouldn’t want us to be arrested because the Land Act still stands.”
Johan squeezed her arm, “God’s got this.”

*****************************************************************

The Mixed Marriages and Immorality Act of 1949 forbade a white person to marry anyone outside of their race, including Asians, and Cape Coloreds, who were given an elevated status above blacks, but below whites.

The Land Act was enacted in 1913 and didn’t allow non-whites to live with whites, and vice versa, or for non-whites to own land outside of their townships. The Land Act was not repealed until 30 June 1991. From 1985 to 1991 interracial marriages could legally occur, but couples couldn’t live together! Cape Town was one of the few cities to turn a blind eye to this, and many interracial couples moved there in the late 1980s to circumvent the Act.
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This article has been read 209 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Mariane Holbrook
05/12/22
What a compelling story! It's hard to believe that governments back then exercised so much control over citizens that they could jail them for marrying outside their race. Sadly, the Christian community worldwide was also complicit in this sort of thing. I was active in the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s both as a teacher and a resident, and when I brought a black colleague to church with me one Sunday, you wouldn't believe the chaos that ensued. I finally said, "My older sister has already given 20 years of her life to missionary work in West Africa, delivering babies, showing women how to make soap, how to read, how to better their lives and how to find Jesus. I am ashamed of my home church here in the U.S. for rejecting my black, college-educated Christian friend who just moved to this city and is looking for a Bible-believing church." Thankfully, things began to change and several more black families who lived near the church were welcomed as new members.
Verna Cole Mitchell 
05/12/22
This was interesting and educational. I rejoiced with the bride and groom.
Graham Keet 
05/13/22
Those were tough times in SA, thankfully they have passed. You have captured the spirit of the times and also the turmoil that many people experienced. Well written.
Holly Westefeld
05/19/22
Thank you for this engaging and informative story and glimpse in to history.
Laurie Kiel 
05/25/22
Very well told, engrossing story putting a face (actually two faces) on apartheid. Congratulations on you well-earned third.
Art Fahy 
05/30/22
Congratulations on placing third.
You painted real and very courageous characters.
Your story was well crafted and flowed smoothly. It is clearly written and well communicated.
Thank you for Immoral Acts.