A group of young women from Mulima say sex before marriage is a sin and they are still virgins.

Forty of them are born-again Christians under the tutelage of Pastor Selaya Famadi of the Revelation Christian Church based at Mulima Pfananani.

Famadi said the church’s teenagers started with their voluntary virginity testing in 2006, with only 16 of them. “This year the number has increased to 40 and we have awarded them certificates, just to encourage them in their choice. The young girls were awarded certificates last Saturday. We don’t offend those who have already lost their virginity, because God loves them. We are planning to approach businesspeople to encourage the virgins with study bursaries. Despite this programme, the church also cares for the orphans and provides them with food parcels,” said Pastor Famadi.

Dr Tshilidzi Denga Rambau of Khanimambo Medical Centre couldn’t believe that 40 ladies are still intact. Rambau advised them not to expose themselves to pornographic material. Pastor Maxwell Masakona of the Calvary Christian Church said they must be educated in order to add value to the economy of the country. Masakona advised them to walk with wise friends, so that they will be wiser. He further said the marriages of people who had already been involved in sexual activities didn’t last. He encouraged them to believe that God would provide a real husband.

Lebogang Mudivhi (22) is one of the virgins who have a diploma in Information Technology and Electrical Engineering. She is now doing learnership at Bytes Technology Group in Gauteng and she said she was succeeding because she had chosen good role models.