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Tell us what is on your mind

Men can now adopt their wives’ surnames. We asked locals how they felt about the modern twist on tradition.

October 8, 2025

Luccia Mashel Less than a minute

Jenise Lourens: I don’t agree with a man taking his wife’s surname. Traditionally, the man is the provider and represents masculine energy. He is the head of the household and should remain so in every sense of the word.

Following a recent Constitutional Court ruling, men can now choose to take their wives’ surnames, after the court declared Section 26(1) of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act unconstitutional for unfair discrimination based on gender. What are your thoughts on this?

Sharney Govender: Couples should even be allowed to blend surnames and make something new. At the end of the day, love matters more than the surname.

Lerato Msimango: Honestly, it doesn’t matter. As long as Home Affairs makes the paperwork simple, couples should have the freedom to choose what works for them.

Johannes Chauke: I think it’s strange. For generations, women have taken their husband’s surname. That’s the way it should stay, it keeps the family name strong.

Thabo Dlamini: I think it’s fair. Marriage is a partnership and both people should have a say in the surname. Traditions shouldn’t hold us back.

Also Read: Tell us what’s on your mind? Can money help solve crime?

At Caxton, every story is written by humans. We use AI only to perform quality checks - never to generate the news. Happy reading!

October 8, 2025

Luccia Mashel Less than a minute

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