GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs will host public hearings on the Marriage Bill at the Hornlee Civic Hall in Knysna from 10:00 to 15:00 on Monday 27 October.
The bill aims to create a single, inclusive legal framework for all marriages in South Africa, ensuring equality and dignity regardless of religion, culture, gender or sexual orientation.
To date, 53 written submissions have been received from individuals, civil groups and faith-based organisations.
Among the issues raised are the definition of polygamy, child marriages and even whether a husband may legally take his wife's surname.
Some organisations, such as the Free Society Institute and Banking Association of South Africa, argue that the bill's definition of polygamy unfairly excludes polyandry (where women may have multiple husbands), calling it outdated and discriminatory.
Meanwhile, the Women's Legal Centre strongly supports the bill's ban on child and forced marriages, urging Parliament to protect minors through clear consent clauses. One individual submitter questioned the legal obstacles preventing a man from adopting his wife's surname.
The Knysna hearing forms part of nationwide consultations to gather public input before Parliament finalises the bill.
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