Husbands Can Now Take Their Wives’ Surnames After This Historical Judgement In South Africa!
Two couples fought the case after the husbands were denied from surname of their respective wives. Read here.
For centuries, women have been told that after marriage, they have to accept their husbands in every way. They even have to leave their own surnames and take up their husband’s. However, with changing times, it has now become a choice for some women, but that’s just a handful. But the South African court has now changed this perspective with a revolutionary judgement which allows men to take their wives’ surname too. Read on.
South Africa Court Passes Important Judgement
As per various news reports, the South African Constitutional Court has now made a new rule which will allow men to take their wives’ surnames. Until now, some laws have restricted men from doing so. This major ruling came after two couples fought a case in the court of justice. The men-Henry van der Merwe and Andreas Nicolas Bornman were not allowed to add their respective wives surname to their names, as per the public broadcaster, SABC.
As per a BBC report, the two couples put a strong argument in the court to prove that the old system was only patriarchal and outdated. The also argued that it did not promote equality among men and women, was a form of gender discrimination.
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Furthermore, to bring this ruling to effect, the Court will now have to amend the Births and Deaths Registration Act, and its regulations, as per the reports.
During the hearing, the court acknowledged that some laws and rules in the country still promoted stereotypes despite making progress in gender equality.
Well, this is certainly a big win for the couples, and there should be equality to the right to choose, for both men and women.
Image Courtesy: Freerange Stock
First Published: September 12, 2025 5:46 PM
