From The Editors Desk

30/11/2025

JKN Global merger & acquisition Amadhlomo Heritage Projects Pty Ltd powered by....

Raúl Rocha Cantú is under investigation for drug, gun and fuel trafficking while Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip is accused of fraud

30/11/2025

zikhona

Raúl Rocha Cantú is under investigation for drug, gun and fuel trafficking while Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip is accused of fraud

22/11/2025

Mogotsi

Say "hello" to a different messaging experience. An unexpected focus on privacy, combined with all of the features you expect.

30/10/2025

South African actress and businesswoman Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa has won a victory in the Johannesburg High Court. It ruled that her customary marriage to music star Nkosinathi “Black Coffee” Maphumulo was valid, declaring their later civil marriage and antenuptial contract null and void. Mlotshwa is now legally entitled to half of the couple’s vast estate.

A scholar of legal pluralism and specialist in customary law marriage, Anthony Diala, answers our questions.

What is customary marriage and how does it fit into South African law?
A customary marriage is a union between a man and one or more women, which is concluded in terms of African customary law. This means that the marriage must comply with traditional customs and ceremonies like negotiations between families, payment of bride wealth (lobolo), and handing over of the bride to the groom’s family.

Although customary marriages are between individuals, the clan is heavily involved. In the rustic societies where indigenous customs arose, marriage was originally between the families of the couple.

Read more: Understanding the relevance of African customary law in modern times

A customary law union is recognised as a valid marriage by the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act 1998 (RCMA). It makes a customary marriage automatically in community of property unless the parties exclude it in a contract before the marriage is concluded. Community of property means that all wealth and liabilities that accrue during the marriage are shared equally between the parties if they divorce. This is the default position for all marriages in South Africa.

South Africa operates multiple legal systems because of colonialism. Dutch and British colonisers imposed their own laws and used them to regulate indigenous African laws. When democracy replaced colonialism and apartheid in the 1990s, indigenous laws received constitutional recognition. But they remain regulated by western ideas.

The Recognition of Customary Marriages Act

23/10/2025

Qhawekazi17...

06/10/2025

We reiterate the President's call for the release of Mandla Mandela and safe return to his people in the Eastern Cape with humble gratitude we assert to his excellency today Israeli, LLM isbushwana. Grondwet van die Republic van Suid-Afrika, 1996

03/10/2025

$400B

Elon Musk on Wednesday became the first person to surpass $500 billion in net worth, powered by a rebound in Tesla's share price this year and swelling valuations of his other tech ventures.

01/10/2025

Herewith are the Mona Lisa _€¥£ $- I do...

01/10/2025

All eyes on the Miss SA Pageant, to all contestants to be representatives of our culture ambassadors of generations to follow in this age of womanhood just transition is yours advocates of G-Equality, I'm silent no betting the pound sterling is currency if you invested in the winner.
#10-1: Qhawe1 & Luyanda 10
👑 *1 Bet win @£= 000'

all I'm saying (Majita) 👌

30/09/2025

30/09/2025

BANGKOK — Business turmoil has been mounting for Jakapong “Anne” Jakrajutatip, the transgender celebrity businesswoman and former co-owner of Miss Universe Organization. She has now been forced to resign from all company positions after being charged by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)