‘She does not back down’: the couple seeking to legalise same-sex marriage in Botswana
Bonolo Selelo and Tsholofelo Kumile are seeking to legalize same-sex marriage in Botswana through a court case. They face significant opposition from government and religious groups despite Botswana decriminalizing same-sex relations in 2019. If successful, their case could make Botswana the second African country to legalize same-sex marriage after South Africa.
- ▪Selelo and Kumile got engaged in 2024 and later attempted to register their marriage, only to find it was not legal.
- ▪The couple's court hearings are scheduled for July 14 and 15, 2026.
- ▪Botswana's Attorney General has stated that the current Marriage Act only recognizes marriages between a man and a woman.
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| Original publisher | The Guardian — World |
| Canonical URL | https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/25/same-sex-marriage-botswana-couple-court |
| Publication time | Mon, 25 May 2026 04:00:15 GMT |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-25T04:22:35.624Z |
| Last seen | 2026-05-25T04:22:35.624Z |
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Bonolo Selelo, left, and Tsholofelo Kumile met in October 2023 and got engaged the following Easter. Photograph: Kefilwe Monosi/The GuardianView image in fullscreenBonolo Selelo, left, and Tsholofelo Kumile met in October 2023 and got engaged the following Easter. Photograph: Kefilwe Monosi/The GuardianBotswana‘She does not back down’: the couple seeking to legalise same-sex marriage in BotswanaBonolo Selelo and Tsholofelo Kumile are going to court for right to wed but face fierce opposition from church groupsRachel Savage in GaboroneMon 25 May 2026 00.00 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleBonolo Selelo was at Botswana’s national museum for a Gaborone Pride event when she spotted Tsholofelo Kumile and was struck by her good looks.
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