Acts of marriage

The Marriage Act, largely derived from Christian and English law, is essentially monogamous, heterosexual and adult, permitting child marriages only if the home affairs minister gives consent. It regards under-21s as minors, and says girls of 15 and boys of 18 years can marry only with consent.

The Civil Union Act allows same-sex and heterosexual couples to marry from the age of 18. Couples can register their union as a marriage or a civil partnership.

The Recognition of Customary Marriages Act says marriages can be monogamous or polygamous, and can entail customary practices such as the payment of bride wealth (lobola). These marriages have no legal validity unless they are registered, mostly as civil unions.