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

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.