Religious groups still concerned over proposed marriage policy
AS THE deadline for public comment on the Marriage Policy nears, there is still much concern among religious groups about the possibility that they could be forced to marry certain individuals, which they say “goes against their beliefs”.
This view was expressed by multiple stakeholders as Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi yesterday led a virtual national colloquium, to conclude a series of consultations that have been ongoing since 2019.
The Green Paper on Marriages will establish a policy foundation for regulating marriages in South Africa, followed by a single Marriage Act, “that will enable South Africans and residents of all sexual orientations, religious and cultural persuasions to conclude legal marriages”.
“From a religious freedom point of view, FOR SA is concerned that the draft Marriage Policy will potentially force religious marriage officers (of whatever faith) to solemnise marriages which are contrary to their, and/or their organisation's, religious convictions and beliefs,” the organisation's advocate, Nadene Badenhorst, said.
“If this were to happen, the likely result will be that many religious marriage officers (of which there are 14 945 in the country) will feel that they have no option other than to hand in their marriage licences.”
Amid comments to allow Motsoaledi to use his discretion in permitting certain child marriages, there was a large objection. “Child marriages cannot be tolerated in the 21st century, it limits the lives of millions of girls and consequently undermines our commitment to gender equality,” Sonke Gender Justice's Rumbie Elizabeth Chidoori said.
This while Children on the Move called for kids to have an opportunity to have a say in matters that concern them. “The rights of children are being highlighted but their views are not included. This process cannot conclude without affording children an opportunity,” Children on the Move project manager Nyika Machenjedze said.
Meanwhile Motsoaledi said the question about cultural issues had always been a debate. “In a constitutional democracy, we do not have the last words, the last word rests with the courts. When you pass a new law you have to develop it in the department and take it to the Cabinet.”