An Appraisal of the Requirements for the Validity of a Customary Marriage in South Africa, Before and After the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act 120 of 1998
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17159/1727-3781/2023/v26i0a15298Keywords:
customary marriage, customary union, registration of customary marriages, peremptory provision, directory provision, civil marriages, consent of the bride and bridegroom (spouses), consent of the bride’s father or guardian (parents), the handing over of the bride, repugnancy clause, polygamy, Minister of Home Affairs, Lobolo, RCMA, Recognition of Customary Marriages ActAbstract
This article appraises the requirements for the validity of a customary marriage. It peruses two eras separated by a statute called the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act 120 of 1998 (RCMA). Prior to delving into what the requirements for validity before the RCMA were, the article differentiates between peremptory and directory provisions. These terms are usually applied in interpreting statutes. They also find application in determining the requirements of the validity of customary law. The era before the RCMA lists essential requirements for a valid customary marriage. The gist of these requirements is as follows: consent of the bride and bridegroom (spouses), consent of the bride’s father or guardian (parents), payment of lobolo, the handing over of the bride and the absence of a civil marriage by either spouse. If any of these requirements were not met, there was no valid customary union. The RCMA added more requirements which seem to address formal and customary law requirements. Both prospective spouses need to be 18 years or older, with certain exceptions, and must consent to getting married in terms of customary law. These requirements are peremptory. The customary law requirements relate to the negotiation and celebration of such a marriage. These requirements remain essential. Unlike formal requirements, these requirements allow indigenous African people a certain latitude. As a result, they are directory. This article further deliberates on certain issues regarding the requirements of customary marriages that became contentious. This includes the
delivery of lobolo, the handing over of the bride, polygamous and dual marriages, and the registration of customary marriages. In
conclusion, it is shown that customary law is a rapidly growing independent source of law. The requirements for validity must be
comprehended with this flexibility in mind and should not unnecessarily be held as being static.
Downloads
References
Bibliography
Literature
Bakker P "Patrimonial Consequence of the Conversion of a South African Customary Marriage to a Civil Marriage" in Rautenbach C (ed) In the Shade of an African Baobab: Tom Bennett’s Legacy (Juta 2018) 61-78
Bakker P "Integration of the Bride as a Requirement for a Valid Customary Marriage: Mkabe v Minister of Home Affairs [2016] ZAGPPHC 460" 2007 PER 1-15
Bakker P "Integration of the Bride as a Requirement for a Valid Customary Marriage: Mkabe v Minister of Home Affairs [2016] ZAGPPHC 460" (2018) PER 1–15 DOI: https://doi.org/10.17159/1727-3781/2018/v21i0a1737
Bakker P "Integration of the Bride and the Courts: Is Integration as a Living Customary Law Requirement Still Required?" 2022 PER 1–22 DOI: https://doi.org/10.17159/1727-3781/2022/v25i0a14012
Bapela MP and Monyamane PL "The ‘Revolving Door’ of Requirements for Validity of Customary Marriages in Action – Mbungela v Mkabi [2019] ZASCA 134" 2021 OBITER 189-191
Bekker JC Seymour’s Customary Law in Southern Africa 5th ed (Juta Cape Town 1989)
Bennet TW Customary Law in South Africa (Juta Cape Town 2004)
Botha C Statutory Interpretation: An Introduction for Students 5th ed (Juta Cape Town 2012)
Chidoori RE "Review of the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act No 120 of 1998" 2009 Agenda 51-57
De Souza M "When Non-Registration Becomes Non-Recognition: Examining the Law and Practice of Customary Marriage Registration in South Africa" 2013 Acta Juridica 239-272
Du Plessis L Re-interpretation of Statutes (LexisNexis Durban 2002)
Herbst M and Du Plessis W "Customary Law v Common Law Marriages: A Hybrid Approach in South Africa" 2008 EJCL 1-15
Himonga C et al (eds) African Customary Law in South Africa: Post-Apartheid and Living Law Perspectives (Oxford Cape Town 2014)
Jamneck J "The Problematic Practical Application of Section 1(6) and 1(7) of the Intestate Succession Act Under a New Dispensation" 2014 PER 973-997 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/pelj.v17i3.04
Maithufi IP "Causing the Death of a Breadwinner – Customary Marriage Widow’s Problem" 1986 De Rebus 555-558
Maithufi IP and Bekker JC "The Recognition of Customary Marriages Act of 1998 and Its Impact on Family Law in South Africa" 2002 CILJSA 182-197
Mamashela M "New Families, New Property, New Laws: The Practical Effect of the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act" 2004 SAJHR 616-641 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/19962126.2004.11865165
Manthwa TA "Towards a New Form of Customary Marriage and Ignorance of Precedence: Mbungela v Mkabi 2020 1 SA 41 (SCA)" 2021 TSAR 199-208 DOI: https://doi.org/10.47348/TSAR/2021/i1a13
Mwambene L "The Essence Vindicated? Courts and Customary Marriages in South Africa" (2017) AHRLJ 35-54 DOI: https://doi.org/10.17159/1996-2096/2017/v17n1a2
Mwambene L and Kruuse H "Unfulfilled Promises? The Implementation of the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act in South Africa" 2015 IJLPF 237-259 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/lawfam/ebv009
Osman F "The Consequences of the Statutory Regulation of Customary Law: An Examination of the South African Customary Law of Succession and Marriage" 2019 PER 1-24 DOI: https://doi.org/10.17159/1727-3781/2019/v22i0a7592
Rautenbach C "South African Common and Customary Law of Intestate Succession: A Question of Harmonisation, Integration or Abolition" 2008 EJCL 1-15
South African Law Commission Project 90: The Harmonisation of the Common Law and Indigenous Law (Report on Customary Marriages) (SALC Pretoria 1998)
Sibisi S "Is the Requirement of Integration of the Bride Optional in Customary Marriages?" 2020 De Jure 90-95 DOI: https://doi.org/10.17159/2225-7160/2020/v53a6
West A "Registrations Involving Customary Marriages Entered into Before Implementation of Recognition of Customary Marriages Act" 2002 De Rebus 47
Case law
Alexkor Ltd v Richtersveld Community 2003 12 BCLR 1301 (CC)
Bhe v Khayelitsha Magistrate 2005 1 BCLR 1 (CC)
Dlomo v Mahodi 1946 NAC. (C & O) 61 (Tsolo)
DRM v DMK [2017/2016] [2018] ZALMPPHC 62
Fanti v Boto [2008] JOL 21238 (C)
FM v NR (CA04/2020; 6254/2018) [2020] ZAECMHC 22 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CE90138E
Gama v Mchunu (10/37362) [2015] ZAGPJHC 273
Gumede v President of the Republic of South Africa 2009 3 SA 152 (CC)
K v P (09/41473) [2010] ZAGPJHC 93
Khala v The Minister of Safety and Security 1994 2 BCLR 89 (W)
Ledwaba v Monyepao (HCAA06-2017) [2018] ZALMPPHC 61
Lutoli v Dyubele 1940 NAC (C & O)
M v Road Accident Fund (28602/2017) [2020] ZAGPPHC 63
Mabena v Letsoalo [1998] JOL 3523 (T)
Mabuza v Mbatha 2003 4 SA 218 (C)
Machika v Mthethwa (55842/2011) [2013] ZAGPPHC 308
Maluleke v Minister of Home Affairs [2008] JOL 21827 (W)
Mathaba v Minister of Home Affairs [2008] JOL 21827 (W)
Mayelane v Ngwenyama [2010] JOL 25422 (GNP) (commonly cited as MM v MN)
Mayelane v Ngwenyama 2013 8 BCLR 918 CC
Mbungela v Mkabi [2019] JOL 45887 (SCA)
Mgomezulu v Lukele 1953 NAC 143 (NE)
Mmutle v Thinda (20949/2007) [2008] ZAGPHC 352
Monyepao v Ledwaba [2020] JOL 47353 (SCA)
Moropane v Southon 2014 JOL 32177 (SCA)
Motsoatsoa v Roro [2011] 2 All SA 324
Mrapukana v Magwaxaza [2008] JOL 22875 (C)
Msutu v Road Accident Fund (18174/14) [2011] ZAGPPHC 232
Mvolo v Bokleni 1948 NAC (S) 62
Mxiki v Mbata [2014] ZAGPPHC 825
Ngcwabe-sobekwa v Sitela [2020] JOL 48747 (ECM)
Ngwenyama v Mayelane 2012 10 BCLR 1071 (SCA)
Nhlapo v Mahlangu (59900/14) [2015] ZAGPPHC 142
Nkambula v Linda [1951] 1 All SA 412 (A)
None v Tshabalala [2016] JOL 36713 (GSJ)
Ntsukunyane v Moleko [2013] JOL 30594 (GSJ)
Pilato v Fakude [2021] JOL 53602 (MM)
Road Accident Fund v Mongalo; Nkabinde v RAF [2003] 1 All SA 72 (SCA)
S v A Juvenile 1990 4 SA 151 (ZSC) 176
S v Makwanyane 1995 3 SA 391 (CC)
S v Zuma 1995 2 SA 642 (CC)
Seedat’s Executors v The Master 1917 AD 302
Sengadi v Tsambo In re: Tsambo 2019 4 SA 50 (GJ)
Shabalala v Attorney-General of the Transvaal 1995 12 BCLR 1593 (CC)
Shilubana v Nwamitwa 2008 9 BCLR 914 (CC)
Sila v Masuku 1937 NAC (T & N)
Tsambo v Sengadi [2020] JOL 47138 (SCA)
Weenen Transitional Local Council v Van Dyk [2002] 2 All SA 482 (A)
Wormald v Kambule [2005] 4 All SA 629 (SCA)
Zulu v Mdhletshe 1952 NAC 203 (NE)
Legislation
Black Administration Act 38 of 1927
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act 200 of 1993
Marriage Act 25 of 1961
Marriage and Matrimonial Property Law Amendment Act 3 of 1988
Promotion of Access to Information Act 2 of 2000
Promotion of Administrative Justice Act 3 of 2000
Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 4 of 2000
Recognition of Customary Marriages Act 120 of 1998
Transkei Marriage Act 21 of 1978
International law instruments
Convention on Consent to Marriage, Minimum Age for Marriage and Registration of Marriages (1964)
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (1979)
Government publications
GN 1101 GG 21700 of 1 November 2000
Proc R151 in GG 10966 of 9 October 1987
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2023 Matthews Eddie Nkuna-Mavutane, Juanita Jamneck
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
.png){kind=spacer}