4 - African Feminism and the Recognition of Cohabitation Under Customary Law
Corresponding Author(s) : Maphoko Ditsela
Africa Development,
Vol. 49 No. 1 (2024): Africa Development
Abstract
Cohabitation is the co-residence of two persons, as if they are husband and wife, with or without children. The phenomenon, which is becoming increasingly common is, however, not recognised as a valid family form in African customary law. The result is that many Black women in these unofficial relationships are without legal protection, particularly with respect to property rights and the rights to equality, human dignity and freedom. This article argues that the concept of African feminism presents possibilities for policy-makers to bridge the gap between women’s rights and the prescripts of tradition. Furthermore, it offers solutions for closing gaps in the law that have been created by contentious issues in the legal requirements for a valid marriage, such as payment of bride wealth and the waiver of some marriage rites.
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- Arndt, S., 2002, ‘Perspectives on African Feminism: Defining and Classifying African Feminist Literatures’, Agenda, Vol. 17, No. 54, pp. 31–44.
- Bakker, P., 2018, ‘Integration of the Bride as a Requirement for a Valid Customary Marriage: Mkabe v Minister of Home Affairs’ [2016] ZAGPPHC 460, Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal, Vol. 21, No. 1, pp. 1–16.
- Bannister, T., 2016, The Implications of a Relational Feminist Interpretation of Socio–economic Rights for Cohabiting Partners, Unpublished LLD thesis, Stellenbosch University.
- Bekker, J., and Maithufi, P., 2002, ‘The Recognition of Customary Marriages Act of 1998 and Its Impact on Family Law in South Africa’, Comparative and International Law Journal of Southern Africa, Vol. 35, No. 2, pp. 182–197.
- Bonthuys,E.,2017,‘ProvingExpressandTacitUniversalPartnershipAgreementsinUnmarried Intimate Relationships’, South African Law Journal, Vol. 134, No. 2, pp. 263–273.
- Chanock, M., 1989, ‘Neither Customary nor Legal: African Customary Law in an Era of Family Law Reform’, International Journal of Law and Family, Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 72–88.
- Chidammodzi, H.F., 1994, ‘Addressing African Feminism’, Journal of Humanities, Vol. 8, No. 9, pp. 43–53.
- Cruz, J.M., 2015, ‘Reimagining Feminist Organizing in Global Times: Lessons from African Feminist Communication’, Women and Language, Vol. 38, No. 1, pp. 23–41.
- Currie, I., and De Waal, J., 2013, Bill of Rights Handbook, 6th edition, Cape Town: Juta. De Wet, N., and Gumbo, J., 2016, ‘Let’s live together first: A Longitudinal Investigation into Whether Cohabitation is a Precursor to Marriage Among Young Urban South Africans’, African Population Studies, Vol. 30, No. 2, pp. 2653–2663.
- Diala, A., 2018, ‘A Critique of the Judicial Attitude Towards Matrimonial Property Rights Under Customary Law in Nigeria’s Southern States’, African Human Rights Law Journal, Vol. 18, No. 1, pp. 100–122.
- Diala, A., 2019, ‘Our laws are better than yours: The future of legal pluralism in South Africa’, Revista General de Derecho Público Comparado, Vol. 26, No. 1, pp. 1–23.
- Diala, A., 2020, ‘Understanding the relevance of African customary law in modern times’, The Conversation, 1 December. https://theconversation.com/understanding-the-relevance-of-african-customary-law-in-modern-times-150762. Accessed 12 February 2022.
- Diala, J., 2019, The Interplay of Structure and Agency: The Negotiation Process of Bridewealth Payment in South-East Nigeria, PhD dissertation, University of Cape Town. https://open.uct.ac.za/bitstream/handle/11427/30019/thesis_law_2018_diala_jane_chinonyerem.pdf?sequence=1. Accessed 3 February 2022.
- Emecheta, B., 1982, A Nigerian Writer Living in London, Kunapipi, Vol. 4, No. 1, pp 114–123.
- Gouws A., ed., 2005, Unthinking Citizenship: Feminist Debates in Contemporary South Africa, Cape Town: UCT Press.
- Guy-Sheftall, B., 2003, ‘African Feminist Discourse: A Review Essay’, Agenda, Vol. 17, No. 58, pp. 31–36.
- Ige, R.A., 2014, ‘Speaking for Ourselves: African Feminism and the Development of International Human Rights Law’, KNUST Law Journal, Vol. 6, No. 1, pp. 105–128.
- Lewis, D., 2006, Discursive Challenges for African Feminisms, African Journal of Philosophy, Vol. 20, No. 2, pp. 77–96.
- Lister, R., 1997, ‘Citizenship: Towards a Feminist Synthesis’, Feminist Review, Vol. 57, No. 1, pp. 28–48.
- Lorde, A., 1984, Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches, Berkeley, CA: Crossing Press.
- Mangwira, H.K., 2004, A Critical Investigation of the Relevance of Theories of Feminist Jurisprudence to African Women in South Africa, Unpublished LLM thesis, Rhodes University.
- Mekgwe, P., 2006, ‘Theorizing African Feminism: the ‘Colonial’ Question’, An African Journal of Philosophy, Vol. 20, No. 1, pp. 11–22.
- Ncube, W., 1993, ‘The White Paper on Marriage and Inheritance in Zimbabwe: An Exercise in Superfluity and Mischief’, Legal Forum, Vol. 5, No. 4, pp 10–15.
- Nevondwe, L., and Odeku, K., 2004, ‘The Politics of Cohabitation in South Africa: Exploring Who Qualifies for Pension Benefits under Section 37C of the Pension Funds Act 24 of 1965’, Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences. Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 773–778.
- Nkosi, S., 2015, ‘Customary Marriage as Dealt with in Mxiki v Mbata in re: Mbata v Department of Home Affairs and Others’, De Rebus DR 67.
- Odimegwu, C., Ndagura, P., Singini M., and Baruwa, O., 2018, ‘Cohabitation in Sub- Saharan Africa’, Southern African Journal of Demography, Vol. 18 No. 1, pp. 111–170.
- Obeng-Hinneh, R., and Kpoor, A., 2021, ‘Cohabitation and its Consequences in Ghana’, Journal of Family Issues, pp. 1–23.
- Ozoemena, R.N., 2015, ‘Legislation as a Critical Tool in Advancing Social Change: Lessons from Mayelane v Ngwenyama, Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal, Vol. 18, No. 4, pp. 970–992.
- Pereira, C., 2002, ‘Between knowing and imagining: What space for feminism in scholarship on Africa’, Feminist Africa, Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 9–33.
- Posel, D., and Rudwick, S., 2014, ‘Ukukipita (Cohabiting): Socio-cultural Constraints in Urban Zulu Society’, Journal of Asian and African Studies, Vol. 49, No. 3, pp. 282–297.
- Posel, D., Rudwick, S., and Casale, D., 2011, ‘Is Marriage a Dying Institution in South Africa? Exploring Changes in the Context of iLobolo Payments’, Empowering Women for Gender Equity, Vol. 25, No. 1, pp. 102–111.
- Pucherova, D., 2019, ‘What is African Woman? Transgressive Sexuality in 21st Century African Anglophone Lesbian Fiction as a Redefinition of African Feminism’, Research in African Literatures, Vol. 50, No. 2, pp. 105–122.
- Rautenbach, C., ed., 2018, Introduction to Legal Pluralism in South Africa, 5th edition, Durban: LexisNexis.
- Richardson, D., 2000, ‘Claiming Citizenship? Sexuality, Citizenship and Lesbian/ Feminist Theory’, SAGE Journals, Vol. 3, No. 2, pp. 255–272.
- Sibisi, S., 2020, ‘Is the Requirement of Integration of the Bride Optional in Customary Marriages?’, De Jure Law Journal, Vol. 53, No. 1, pp. 90–103.
- South African Law Reform Commission, 2006, Report on Domestic Relationships: Project 118. https://www.justice.gov.za/salrc/reports/r_prj118_2006march.pdf. Accessed 4 February 2022.
- South African Law Reform Commission, 2019, Single Marriage Statute: Project 144, Issue Paper 35.
- Steady, F.C., 1981, The Black Woman Cross-Culturally, Cambridge, MA: Schenkman Publishing Company.
- World Bank, 2001, World Development Report 2000/2001: Attacking Poverty, New York: Oxford University Press.
References
Arndt, S., 2002, ‘Perspectives on African Feminism: Defining and Classifying African Feminist Literatures’, Agenda, Vol. 17, No. 54, pp. 31–44.
Bakker, P., 2018, ‘Integration of the Bride as a Requirement for a Valid Customary Marriage: Mkabe v Minister of Home Affairs’ [2016] ZAGPPHC 460, Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal, Vol. 21, No. 1, pp. 1–16.
Bannister, T., 2016, The Implications of a Relational Feminist Interpretation of Socio–economic Rights for Cohabiting Partners, Unpublished LLD thesis, Stellenbosch University.
Bekker, J., and Maithufi, P., 2002, ‘The Recognition of Customary Marriages Act of 1998 and Its Impact on Family Law in South Africa’, Comparative and International Law Journal of Southern Africa, Vol. 35, No. 2, pp. 182–197.
Bonthuys,E.,2017,‘ProvingExpressandTacitUniversalPartnershipAgreementsinUnmarried Intimate Relationships’, South African Law Journal, Vol. 134, No. 2, pp. 263–273.
Chanock, M., 1989, ‘Neither Customary nor Legal: African Customary Law in an Era of Family Law Reform’, International Journal of Law and Family, Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 72–88.
Chidammodzi, H.F., 1994, ‘Addressing African Feminism’, Journal of Humanities, Vol. 8, No. 9, pp. 43–53.
Cruz, J.M., 2015, ‘Reimagining Feminist Organizing in Global Times: Lessons from African Feminist Communication’, Women and Language, Vol. 38, No. 1, pp. 23–41.
Currie, I., and De Waal, J., 2013, Bill of Rights Handbook, 6th edition, Cape Town: Juta. De Wet, N., and Gumbo, J., 2016, ‘Let’s live together first: A Longitudinal Investigation into Whether Cohabitation is a Precursor to Marriage Among Young Urban South Africans’, African Population Studies, Vol. 30, No. 2, pp. 2653–2663.
Diala, A., 2018, ‘A Critique of the Judicial Attitude Towards Matrimonial Property Rights Under Customary Law in Nigeria’s Southern States’, African Human Rights Law Journal, Vol. 18, No. 1, pp. 100–122.
Diala, A., 2019, ‘Our laws are better than yours: The future of legal pluralism in South Africa’, Revista General de Derecho Público Comparado, Vol. 26, No. 1, pp. 1–23.
Diala, A., 2020, ‘Understanding the relevance of African customary law in modern times’, The Conversation, 1 December. https://theconversation.com/understanding-the-relevance-of-african-customary-law-in-modern-times-150762. Accessed 12 February 2022.
Diala, J., 2019, The Interplay of Structure and Agency: The Negotiation Process of Bridewealth Payment in South-East Nigeria, PhD dissertation, University of Cape Town. https://open.uct.ac.za/bitstream/handle/11427/30019/thesis_law_2018_diala_jane_chinonyerem.pdf?sequence=1. Accessed 3 February 2022.
Emecheta, B., 1982, A Nigerian Writer Living in London, Kunapipi, Vol. 4, No. 1, pp 114–123.
Gouws A., ed., 2005, Unthinking Citizenship: Feminist Debates in Contemporary South Africa, Cape Town: UCT Press.
Guy-Sheftall, B., 2003, ‘African Feminist Discourse: A Review Essay’, Agenda, Vol. 17, No. 58, pp. 31–36.
Ige, R.A., 2014, ‘Speaking for Ourselves: African Feminism and the Development of International Human Rights Law’, KNUST Law Journal, Vol. 6, No. 1, pp. 105–128.
Lewis, D., 2006, Discursive Challenges for African Feminisms, African Journal of Philosophy, Vol. 20, No. 2, pp. 77–96.
Lister, R., 1997, ‘Citizenship: Towards a Feminist Synthesis’, Feminist Review, Vol. 57, No. 1, pp. 28–48.
Lorde, A., 1984, Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches, Berkeley, CA: Crossing Press.
Mangwira, H.K., 2004, A Critical Investigation of the Relevance of Theories of Feminist Jurisprudence to African Women in South Africa, Unpublished LLM thesis, Rhodes University.
Mekgwe, P., 2006, ‘Theorizing African Feminism: the ‘Colonial’ Question’, An African Journal of Philosophy, Vol. 20, No. 1, pp. 11–22.
Ncube, W., 1993, ‘The White Paper on Marriage and Inheritance in Zimbabwe: An Exercise in Superfluity and Mischief’, Legal Forum, Vol. 5, No. 4, pp 10–15.
Nevondwe, L., and Odeku, K., 2004, ‘The Politics of Cohabitation in South Africa: Exploring Who Qualifies for Pension Benefits under Section 37C of the Pension Funds Act 24 of 1965’, Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences. Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 773–778.
Nkosi, S., 2015, ‘Customary Marriage as Dealt with in Mxiki v Mbata in re: Mbata v Department of Home Affairs and Others’, De Rebus DR 67.
Odimegwu, C., Ndagura, P., Singini M., and Baruwa, O., 2018, ‘Cohabitation in Sub- Saharan Africa’, Southern African Journal of Demography, Vol. 18 No. 1, pp. 111–170.
Obeng-Hinneh, R., and Kpoor, A., 2021, ‘Cohabitation and its Consequences in Ghana’, Journal of Family Issues, pp. 1–23.
Ozoemena, R.N., 2015, ‘Legislation as a Critical Tool in Advancing Social Change: Lessons from Mayelane v Ngwenyama, Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal, Vol. 18, No. 4, pp. 970–992.
Pereira, C., 2002, ‘Between knowing and imagining: What space for feminism in scholarship on Africa’, Feminist Africa, Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 9–33.
Posel, D., and Rudwick, S., 2014, ‘Ukukipita (Cohabiting): Socio-cultural Constraints in Urban Zulu Society’, Journal of Asian and African Studies, Vol. 49, No. 3, pp. 282–297.
Posel, D., Rudwick, S., and Casale, D., 2011, ‘Is Marriage a Dying Institution in South Africa? Exploring Changes in the Context of iLobolo Payments’, Empowering Women for Gender Equity, Vol. 25, No. 1, pp. 102–111.
Pucherova, D., 2019, ‘What is African Woman? Transgressive Sexuality in 21st Century African Anglophone Lesbian Fiction as a Redefinition of African Feminism’, Research in African Literatures, Vol. 50, No. 2, pp. 105–122.
Rautenbach, C., ed., 2018, Introduction to Legal Pluralism in South Africa, 5th edition, Durban: LexisNexis.
Richardson, D., 2000, ‘Claiming Citizenship? Sexuality, Citizenship and Lesbian/ Feminist Theory’, SAGE Journals, Vol. 3, No. 2, pp. 255–272.
Sibisi, S., 2020, ‘Is the Requirement of Integration of the Bride Optional in Customary Marriages?’, De Jure Law Journal, Vol. 53, No. 1, pp. 90–103.
South African Law Reform Commission, 2006, Report on Domestic Relationships: Project 118. https://www.justice.gov.za/salrc/reports/r_prj118_2006march.pdf. Accessed 4 February 2022.
South African Law Reform Commission, 2019, Single Marriage Statute: Project 144, Issue Paper 35.
Steady, F.C., 1981, The Black Woman Cross-Culturally, Cambridge, MA: Schenkman Publishing Company.
World Bank, 2001, World Development Report 2000/2001: Attacking Poverty, New York: Oxford University Press.