It is better to practice a little than talk a lot.

This topic makes me think of the concept of a promise ring. I know someone who had been going out with her boyfriend for a few years and her boyfriend gave her a promise ring. This was meant to be a promise that by the end of the year, he would pay lobola and marry her. He asked her to speak to her family and organize her uncles. There was a lot of buzz going on about this promise to marry her. The end of year came and passed, the guy said nothing. Years went by, but still nothing happened. Guys who were interested in the girl considered her to be out of the market because of the promise ring she was wearing. This was an empty promise; she finally saw the light and took off the ring.

The worst thing about this situation is that the guy might have known he had no intentions of marrying her. He brought up her hopes and didn't even tell her when he couldn't deliver on his promise. I respect a man who keeps his word and is not selfish deceiving a woman of his intentions. Rather tell the girl if you cannot afford to pay lobola and marry her. She will love you for your honesty. Talk is cheap!