Couples are reminded to register unregistered customary marriages by the end of August.
Disputes regarding customary marriages have been under the judicial spotlight over the years in many cases, with one of the parties disputing that such a marriage ever existed. To acquire legal certainty, couples are urged to register these unregistered unions.
Couples in unregistered customary marriages have until August 31 to register these unions with the Department of Home Affairs. The minister has earlier announced this deadline and explained that it applies to marriages conducted under African Customary Law, both before and after the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act was enacted in 1998.
Home Affairs explained that registration is crucial for providing legal recognition and documentation, such as a marriage certificate, for these unions. The Recognition of Customary Marriages Act was introduced to legally recognise marriages based on African Customary Law and address historical gender inequalities.
While marriages entered into after the Act are legally valid if they meet specific criteria, such as both parties being over 18 and consenting, many customary marriages remain unregistered.
