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South Africa rules husband can take wife's name

Surnames - Level 4

A court in South Africa has said a man can take his wife's surname or have a double-barrelled name. The country's Births and Deaths Registration Act had required a husband to apply to the government to take his wife's name. Even then, there was no guarantee it would happen. A request was denied in many cases. The new rule says stopping a man from taking his spouse's family name was gender discrimination. It says a man has the right to take the last name of his wife.

There was mixed reaction on social media. Many people said it was a sign of greater equality. They pointed out that the previous law was passed in colonial times. They also say the law continues South Africa's progressiveness. The country was the first in Africa to legalize same-sex marriage. However, other people said the new rule goes against the country's traditions. One person said it would "destroy the norms and values" of indigenous citizens.

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Surnames - Level 5

A court in South Africa has ruled that a man can take his wife's surname or have a double-barrelled name. Before this ruling, the country's Births and Deaths Registration Act had required that a husband needed to apply to the government to take his wife's name or to hyphenate it. However, even then, there was no guarantee it would be granted. The request was denied in many cases. The new rule says prohibiting a man from adopting his spouse's family name was gender discrimination. It says a man has the right to assume the last name of a woman he marries.

The court's decision was met with mixed reaction on social media. Many people said it was progressive and a sign the country was providing greater equality. They pointed out that the previous law was passed in the colonial era and was overly paternalistic. They also say the law continues South Africa's progressiveness. The country was the first in Africa to legalize same-sex marriage. However, other people criticized the new ruling. They say it goes against the country's traditions. One user on X said it would "destroy the norms and values" of indigenous citizens.

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11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Surnames - Level 6

A court in South Africa has ruled that a man can now take his wife's surname or have a double-barrelled name after marriage. Prior to this ruling, the country's Births and Deaths Registration Act had stipulated that a husband needed to apply to the Home Affairs department in order to take his wife's surname or to hyphenate it. However, even if a man submitted an application, there was no guarantee that it would be granted. The request was denied in many cases. The new decree stipulates that the law prohibiting a man from adopting his spouse's family name was discriminatory on the basis of gender. It says a man has the right to assume the last name of a woman he marries.

The court's pronouncement has been met with mixed reaction on social media. Many people lauded the decision as being forward-thinking and a sign that the country was providing greater equality. They highlighted the fact that the previous law was passed in the colonial, apartheid era and was overly paternalistic. They also say the law continues South Africa's progressiveness. The country was the first in Africa to legalize same-sex marriage. However, others have criticized the new ruling. They view it as being counter to the country's traditions. One user on X said it would "destroy the norms and values" of indigenous citizens.

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25 online activities    |    27-page printable    |    2-page mini-lesson