A marriage is when two adults decide to join their lives in a relationship as husband and wife. It is a big decision for any person to make and should be taken seriously. Marriage is both a legal contract and a lifelong promise you make to another person. Your choice of who to marry will play a significant role in your future life.

Swaziland Law recognizes two types of marriage:

Customary Marriage:This is where the couple marries in a traditional ceremony, following traditional or cultural rules.
Civil rights Marriage: This is where a marriage officer performs the ceremony. It can also be performed in church.

It is a criminal offence (called bigamy) for a man married in a civil or religious marriage to marry a second wife. But some traditional marriages do allow this practice. The man needs to get the permission of his first wife if he wants to take another wife. It is called polygamy.

Getting married is a choice you should make only once you are grown up. In Swaziland marriage to someone under the age of 18 is illegal. It is called child marriage and is considered a human right violation in Swaziland and globally.

Marriage is a partnership for life. Make sure you choose it wisely. Wait for the right time, and the right partner. Wait until you are older and have completed school. It is important to at least complete secondary school. But it is best if you complete university or a technical school. If you are educated, you can contribute to the family life and also be treated as equal partners in the marriage.