Charles and Rosita Banane celebrate 50 years of marriage with vow renewal |13 November 2023
Mr and Mrs Banane renewing their vows infront of Father Madiela
Charles and Rosita Banane said “I do” 50 years ago in 1973 and on Saturday the couple celebrated this auspicious occasion by renewing their vows in the presence of families.
The ceremony at the St François D’Assise Church, in Baie Lazare on Saturday, November 11, was presided over by Father Pierre Madiela who said that it was through God’s love that Mr and Mrs Banane were able to spread their love throughout the community.
“The victory of being able to celebrate 50 years of marriage, through God’s love and through his holiness is one that should be cherished. God bless Charles and Rosita so that they may spread their love to the community,” stated Father Madiela.
In an interview to the local media, Mr Banane said married life is built on tolerance, and accepting when you are wrong, to prevent discord within the family. For her part, Mrs Banane said that one could not expect married life to be all fun. “There will be moments where it will be difficult. The importance is knowing how to face the difficulties.”
She noted how physical confrontation in a marriage does not resolve issues and that couples should learn to communicate and choose the right time to have the dialogue.
Mrs Banane also pointed how back in the old days, marriage was a very important sacrament. “It was an honour. Our parents put emphasis on us getting married and we respected that since we were living a religious life, we had to get married.”
In terms of the younger generation that are not getting married, she stated that it was their choice. “We would like it if they did get married but if they do not want to, we have to respect their choices.”
After Saturday’s ceremony, Mr Banane also humorously recounted the day he first met his wife and the meeting took place in Anse Royale. “We talked, and I was staying in St Louis at the time. On Saturdays, I brought some goods for her and we met for a while.”
He remembered how during that time, one could not meet up on the streets. “If you had to talk you needed to go home.”
He also recalled another meeting with her, which took place when Queen Elizabeth visited Seychelles. After that they became closer, until their wedding day.
Mr and Mrs Banane were 20 and 19 respectively when they tied the knot.
One of their five children, Roy Banane, conveyed that his parents faced a lot of challenges. However, their bond and love meant they honoured their vows to stay together for eternity.
“As their children, we hope that this is the case. However, I would like to make it known, that we did not see our parents ever having a dispute or fight. We lived a stage where, although there were problems, nothing occurred in front of us,” he noted, adding these were the advantages having them as their parents.
“Now we are at a different stage where we are all grown up and maybe they may have certain jokes between the two or small arguments that pass by quickly, but never as a child.”
The couple’s religious ceremony was followed by a reception at Klib 55 in Victoria, for families and friends.
Sunny Esparon
