Recognition of Customary Marriages Act
GRACE PERIOD FOR REGISTRATION OF CUSTOMARY MARRIAGES:
Section 4(3)(b) of the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act 120 of 1998 states that a customary marriage entered into after the commencement of the Act must be registered within a period of three months after conclusion of the marriage or within a longer period as the minister may from time to time prescribe by Notice in the Gazette.
The Minister of Home Affairs released a notice on 29 October 2024 affording parties who are married in terms of customary law until 31 August 2026 to register their customary marriages which are not yet registered.
In other words, any customary marriages entered into after 15 November 2000 which have not been registered at Home Affairs, must be registered by no later than 31 August 2026. We implore couples to take this opportunity to register their customary marriages
Shani van Niekerk
Tanzania Strengthens IP Protection Through Legislative Reforms
Tanzania has introduced significant reforms to its IP regime through the enactment of the Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, 2026 (the “2026 Amendments”), which received Presiden...
October 20 2026
Rwanda Overhauls IP Procedures and Fees: Key Changes Effective 13 October 2026
Rwanda’s new Ministerial Order No. 001/MINICOM/26 came into effect on 13 October 2026, introducing a number of important changes to the country’s intellectual property regime. The Order es...
October 20 2026
Legal Update | Fair Competition Commission (FCC), Tanzania
Tanzania FCC clarifies its position regarding the use of foreign trade mark certificates in support of the Mandatory recordation: 28 July 2026 | Fair Competition Commission (FCC), Tanzania. The Fair C...
October 02 2026