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Mixed messages: Andile (Kay Sibiya) and Jessica (Trix Vivier) in the second film in the series Umjolo: Day Ones. Photo: Netflix

Four films are low on romance and responsibility

A new film franchise explores modern love but fumbles the chemistry and connection

Aerial view of long horns cows in a Mundari tribe cattle camp, Central Equatoria, Terekeka, South Sudan. (Photo by Eric Lafforgue / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP)

‘I am scared my parents will marry me off against my will’

As a girl child, I am valuable to my family. When they tried to marry me off, I ran away. But now I am back home. In a country where girls have few rights

‘Vat and sit’: Men are the ones who benefit from domestic partnerships and have little motivation to enter into marriage. However, the constitutional court (below) recently ruled that opposite-sex life partners may inherit from their deceased partner’s estate. (IVASHstudio/Shutterstock & Madelene Cronjé)

Apex court judgment enables opposite-sex life partners to inherit intestate

Constitutional court ruling enables people in opposite-sex life partnerships to inherit from their deceased partner, even if they haven’t left a valid will

South Africa, KwaZulu Natal, Melmoth, Procession of bride’s family at Zulu wedding in colorful dress carrying sticks and dancing. (Photo by: Eye Ubiquitous/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Why customary marriage registration matters in South Africa

Registration of customary marriages is important for extending legal protection and rights to spouses, many of whom struggle for legal recognition

It’s more important than ever that anyone getting married, whether in a traditional ceremony, at the magistrate’s court or in church, should consult an attorney to help explain the options and draft a legally binding agreement that will suit the couple’s particular circumstances

No room for the state in a marriage

A major review of South African marriage law is underway and we must ensure that the proposed reforms reflect the democratic values of our pluralistic society

Women must be allowed to determine their own future

We don’t need new names

COMMENT A deeply embedded patriarchal practice assumes that a married woman must change her surname to that of her spouse. This was standard practice at the department of home…

‘Beliefs and convictions rested on religion should be allowed the freedom awarded by the law to share the public sphere with all the other non-religious beliefs and convictions’

The fight for equality in domestic relationships goes to the courts

What could be a landmark case seeking recognition for a woman’s right to inheritance and maintenance in the event of her partner’s death, is currently being adjudicated

Sipho Fubesi at the Artscape.  (David Harrison)

Slice of life: A proposal at the opera

I started singing formally in 2003. Before that I was in the school choir. I came to visit family in Cape Town, and by luck I met people who were opera singers. They encouraged…

The woman who claims to have been married to the deceased must prove that a customary marriage existed before the distribution of the estate can be addressed. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Customary law can pose problems for widows

Despite a new Act, many women and children are up against discriminatory practices

The most common form of regret is that related to the most common emotion, namely, love. Photo: File

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may

Women, celebrate achievements besides those of marrying and having babies

Pule Mabe with some of his three-wheel ‘karikis’

Slice of Life: Divorce is not a failure

‘This belief that women divorcées are embittered — there’s a very overt streak of patriarchy in that’

A recent judgment ensures that transgender individuals who transition after getting married don’t have to go through the process of divorce to have their gender reflected accurately in their identity documents.

Court ruling a victory for married transgender people

The judgment should improve the home affairs department’s attitude to transgender marriages

Maude Maodi-Swartz and Vaivi Swartz had to visit numerous home affairs offices before finally finding an official who would marry them.

Uncivil reception at Home Affairs office for women wanting a civil union

‘The fight to have their union officially recognised contrasts markedly with the traditional wedding ceremony they enjoyed beforehand.’

Two women wearing a wedding veil kiss each other during a demonstration to support same-sex marriages in Lyon

Less than a third of home affairs officials are willing to marry same-sex couples

Religious freedom, at times masking discrimination, is used too often to trump others’ right to marry.

‘The first time I knew it was forever

Nothing beats the exhilaration you feel on saying yes! yes! yes! to a life together

You meet, you go out, you discover you are in love. But your emotions explode when the one question calls for the ultimate commitment.

Don’t do porn if you’re married because you’ll probably end up divorced

Research backs up this finding — but it also revealed that young people are crap at matrimony.

When three is not a crowd

Polyamory is gaining traction as an ethical way to be romantically involved with more than one person.

Public proposals – like this one on Times Square in New York on Valentine’s day – are about attention-seeking

Here’s a proposal: Keep it private

A marriage proposal should be an intimate affair, not an egotistical YouTube video.

Kelly Khumalo grieving after the murder of her boyfriend Senzo Meyiwa.

The witches make men do it

It’s not fair that Senzo Meyiwa’s mistress has to carry the blame for his cheating ways.

Syrian bride Reme is welcomed by family members of her Turkish groom

Syrian refugees say ‘I do’ to Turks

Desperate women are seeking refuge from war in arranged marriages, despite reports of abuse.