This is a matter I am dealing with in a screenplay, so I feel I have to add my voice in condemning wife-battery. It has no place in any society or culture.

In Zimbabwean society, beating your wife is one way of losing standing. A cousin of mine did it once- that same male ego rubbish. By the time I jumped over the fence, he had retreated in to the house and locked the bedroom door. Later, he had to go around each and every household in the neighbourhood and apologise for his actions.

And if you do it in public, you will find the people more than willing to mete out instant justice.

In our culture, assaulting the wife is an offence that brings bad luck to the whole clan and no expense is spared in reparations. Same with verbal assaults- certain words should never be utter, such as those casting doubt on her intelligence or fidelity etc. So, wife beating may be part of the African culture, but I would love to know WHICH culture that is.