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THE MINISTER
RESPONSE TO PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION NO 195 OF 2014 ON AWARENESS CAMPAIGN TO
EDUCATE WOMEN ABOUT PROS AND CONS OF POLYGAMOUS
PURPOSE
1. The purpose of this submission is to provide the Minister with a
response to Parliamentary Question no: 195 of 2014 on
DISCUSSION
2. A question was raised by Ms C K K Mosimane (Cope) to the Minister:
Whether her department intends to embark on awareness campaigns
to educate women about the pros and cons of polygamous
marriages; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant
details?
3. A response has been drafted and is tabled for the Ministerâs
approval.
RECOMMENDATION
4. It is recommended that the Minister:
a. Approves the content of the attached response
Compiler of the submission:
Sipiwo Matshoba
Parliamentary Liaison Officer
Date: _____________________
Supported / Not supported
Modjadji Seabi
Deputy Director General
Date: ____________________
Supported / Not supported
Veliswa Baduza
Director-General
Date: ____________________
Supported / Not supported
Ms H Bogopane-Zulu, MP
Deputy Minister for Women, Children and People with Disabilities
Date: ____________________
DECISION
4. It is recommended that the Minister:
a. Approves the content of the response
Approved / Not approved
Further discussion required / not required
Ms Lulu Xingwana, MP
Minister for Women, Children and People with Disabilities
Date: _______________
PQ195/02/2014
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO 195
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER:
20 FEBRUARY 2013
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 02-2013)
Date reply submitted: 25 February 2014
195. Ms C K K Mosimane (Cope) to ask the Minister of Women, Children and
People with Disabilities:
Whether her department intends to embark on awareness campaigns to
educate women about the pros and cons of polygamous marriages; if not,
why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW201E
Reply:
Answer or reply here
South Africa is a diverse and multi -cultural society as articulated in
chapter 2, section 9 of the Constitution, that the state may not
discriminate on the basis of culture, religion amongst others. Polygamy is
not a crime in this country and therefore the Minister cannot prevent an
adult woman of sound mind who makes a conscious decision and choice for
such a marriage. The Recognition of Customary Marriages Act, 1998
recognises that in some cultures and religions, polygamy is practiced.
Parliament thus gave recognition and rights to women in polygamous
marriages and to their children through this act of parliament, e.g. they
have the right to inherit from their husband or fatherâs estate.
This is different from the abhorrent practice of forced marriages or
ukuthwala wherein in the most recent case in court, the perpetrator has
been jailed for 22 years because that crime was committed against the young
womanâs will and amounted to abduction and statutory rape. It also means
that the girl was denied the right to education and to choose the future
she wants.
Individual South Africans have a right to express their views on polygamy
but that does not make it illegal.
I have on many occasions spoken out against forced marriages and I have
visited hotspots with my counterparts at national, provincial and local
government in places like Lusikisiki, Mbizana, etc where we addressed
communities and traditional leaders, as well as law enforcement officers.
This is an ongoing programme that the department will always speak out
against and the National Council Against Gender Based Violence has been
established to deal with similar societal challenges, particularly gender-
based violence.
Reply to question 195 approved by the Minister