Will modern technology kill umalume in lobolo negotiations?

The way innovation is speeding up, humaniouds are threatening the role of the lobolo negotiator

The image of an obese, heavy-set, argumentative uncle, with a tummy threatening to burst out of a tight, well-worn suit, as the ideal head of a lobolo negotiation delegation is under threat.

In fact, many occupations, jobs, systems and cultural practices as we have come to know them are under threat from the fourth industrial revolution innovations by the tjatjarag scientists.

As it stands now, thanks to this band of innovators, we are getting closer to a time when a family somewhere in Mzansi will one day open their door to welcome a lobola negotiation delegation, only to be met by a humanoid robot reciting their clan names and praises in the way of the traditional greeting.

Envision a scene in which a stunned Mondli Makhanya is greeted by a humanoid robot, eyes blinking and reciting his praise names, Makhanya, Mnguni, Yeyeye, Gumede, Qwabe, Phakathwayo.

Yes, a robot raising its hands in salute, rhyming like a seasoned praise poet to try to soften the family of the prospective bride whose daughter they’ve come to ask to be released, at a price, of course, to marry their son.

Such would be the end of the important role of the uncle as the head of the delegation, chief negotiator or, in most cases, arguer-in-chief during the arduous lobolo negotiation process.

Lobolo negotiations are tense affairs in which the woman’s family holds all the aces and can play hostile and drag out the issue for as long as they want, depending on the negotiating skills of the man’s delegation.

It’s meant to be a friendship-building exercise, yet some take this to extreme levels to test the endurance and seriousness of the man’s family. But, once a deal is struck, the parties become merry over a couple of drinks and elegantly prepared meals.

Oh, the head of delegation also enjoys the luxury of getting the biggest share of meat and has the honour of opening the mandatory bottle of hooch from the hosts. Perhaps they do an electronic transfer of the agreed bride price these days because of the risk of robbery?

The idea of a robot carrying out such an important task might seem far-fetched now but, take the recent event in Midrand, Gauteng, hosted by Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga, to announce last year’s matric results. This could be the sign of things to come.

A 2011 file photo of amaMpondo Prince Mlimandlela Ndamase and his lobolo negotiating team, who had just finalised the agreementPHOTO: Lulamile feni / Gallo Images

Many who packed into the Vodacom World Events centre to hear the announcement were happy to see celebrated television journalist Aldrin Sampear as programme director. But no one was prepared for Pepper, the humanoid robot, cruising on to the stage to assist as co-host.

Its creators, SoftBank Robotics, said Pepper was the world’s first social humanoid robot able to recognise faces and basic human emotions. Pepper was optimised for human interaction and can engage with people through conversation and his touch screen.

Pepper has since become a hit worldwide. SoftBank said more than “2 000 companies around the world have adopted Pepper as an assistant to welcome, inform and guide visitors in an innovative way”.

Now, with these kinds of skills, why wouldn’t anyone deploy Pepper to carry out important tasks such as lobolo negotiations? After all, they say the little chap is “able to recognise faces and basic human emotions”, very important attributes when engaged in the tough task of negotiating amalobolo.

In this process – when delegations of the prospective bride and groom size up each other, taunt, tease, frustrate, annoy, threaten, plead and bargain – it’s important to pick up the constant changing mood in the engagement. This can either make or break the deal.

But it’s also crucial to identify the tough aunt or stern uncle from the opposite side to determine how to deal with them. It’s a skill these uncles, especially, have mastered through being involved in many such engagements.

Come to think of it, many of these lobolo negotiation experts tend even to look the same.

But, now, many of these golden oldies are slowing down because of age and perhaps one or two too many drinks and meals associated with this age-old tradition.

The reality looms – ever larger – that one day soon, Pepper, accompanied by women in doeks and men in coats, will knock on a door in some township or village as head of a lobola negotiation delegation.

Far-fetched? Maybe not. No one thought 20 years ago that it would be possible while lying on the beach in say, Dubai, to send money to someone stranded in Nkandla.

This file photo shows Queen Zola Mafu dancing with her husband Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini in Ulundi in 2014. Even a king is expected to pay lobolo to his bride-to-be’s family Picture: Khaya Ngwenya

With humans becoming busier and lazier, technological innovation has come in handy to plug the gap and relieve people of some tasks. Take, for instance, commercial agriculture. Technological innovation has made it possible to harvest hundreds of hectares in a matter of hours at the press of a button on a big machine.

Technological innovation has permeated every sphere of life, work, leisure, health, society, culture, education and media. It is getting more advanced every day, meaning that, every day, something from the old days loses its relevance.

Humans need to prepare and adjust for these changing times.

In future robots like Pepper could replace not only the lobolo negotiator but police, doctors, teachers – and even tsotsis. Imagine being robbed by a robot!

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