Audio By Carbonatix
South Africa's highest court has ruled that husbands can take the surname of their wives, overturning a law that barred them from doing so.
In a victory for two couples who brought the case, the Constitutional Court ruled that the law amounted to gender-based discrimination.
Henry van der Merwe was denied the right to take the surname of his wife Jana Jordaan, while Andreas Nicolas Bornman could not hyphenate his surname to include Donnelly, the surname of his wife, Jess Donnelly-Bornman, reports the public broadcaster, SABC.
Parliament will now have to amend the Births and Deaths Registration Act, along with its regulations, for the ruling to take effect.
The two couples had successfully challenged the law in a lower court, but asked South Africa's highest court to confirm its ruling.
Latest Stories
-
UK social media campaigners among five denied US visas
2 hours -
BP sells stake in motor oil arm Castrol for $6bn
3 hours -
GPL 2025/26: Asante Kotoko beat Eleven Wonders to go third
5 hours -
Algerian law declares France’s colonisation a crime
5 hours -
Soldiers remove rival Mamprusi Chief Seidu Abagre from Bawku following Otumfuo mediation
5 hours -
Analysis: How GoldBod’s operations led to a $214 million loss at the BoG
6 hours -
Why Extending Ghana’s Presidential Term from Four to Five Years Is Not in the Interest of Ghanaians
6 hours -
Young sanitation diplomat urges children to lead cleanliness drive
6 hours -
Energy sector shortfall persists; to balloon to US$1.10bn in 2026 – IMF
6 hours -
Gov’t secures $30m Chinese grant for new university of science and technology in Damongo
6 hours -
Education Minister commends St. Peter’s SHS for exiting double-track, pledges infrastructure support
6 hours -
ECG to be privatised – IMF reveals in Staff Report
6 hours -
Accra Unbuntu Lions Club impacts 500,000 Ghanaians in 5 years of social service
6 hours -
VALCO Board holds maiden strategic meeting with management
7 hours -
African Festival: Nollywood star Tony Umez joins Nkrumah musical in Accra
7 hours