Page 96 - The Circle of Life

One cadet broke all rules by kicking his opponent in the head in the first round.

Apparently he was a kick boxer of note and acted automatically or so he said
daring everyone to “come and get the same and f you too.” The PT Sergeants
were disgusted and made him fight three good opponents at the same time who

beat the cr-p out him, kick boxer of note or not. He was carried off to the

Hospital but all in good fun.

I never saw female cadets in the boxing ring and have no idea how they were

taught self-defence but I can tell you they could when the occasion called for it,
throw as good a round-house punch as any man. Many times I saw them enter

into the spirit of things during a punch-up and I never worried that they would
run away from it. Having said that - we tried to protect them as much as

possible much to their disgust! One even said to me, respectfully enough since I
was a sergeant and she was not, that she will arrest me for interfering with her

duties if I don’t stop holding her back and please f step aside so that she can
kick the criminal in a motherly fashion. Must admit I was a bit taken a back but

you know the saying "ladies first” and she did just that. Poor criminal made us
promise we will never tell his mates that a police girl knocked him out."

Does dowry exist in law?

In South African law not at all, meaning the lack of dowry will not make the
marriage unlawful so once again it is of historical interest only. Naturally where

you are it may be different and sure is when we speak of customary law in Africa

as you saw with our pet crocodile arrest somewhere. Lobola is a big deal here
under the more traditional folk.

Some cultures do have a price which they put on the woman. Usually the
families would meet and negotiate the price which depends on her ability to bear

children and education meaning earning power. Sometimes it is paid in cattle
but these days more often in money or cash. This is taken very seriously and

tribal wars broke out because of a lack of payment. However it is not law but
custom or tradition. Personally I don't get it for your loved one is worth more to

you than all the money in the world. There is no price too high to pay but I am
quite grateful that this is not law for I cannot afford my American Patriot under

these rules for as we saw in history an American woman is worth more than an

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