A Simple Guide to South African Family Law

Endorsements

“…Equality cannot, and does not, mean only equality on paper or in theory. That is simply not good enough. Promoting and achieving equality – and, indeed, the other human rights protected in the Bill of Rights – requires an acute awareness of the lived realities of people’s lives. One of these realities is that many people in South Africa are unable to enforce their legal rights because they do not know what these rights are, what they mean in reality and how to protect them.
It is for this reason that A Simple Guide to South African Family Law is a publication as timely as it is admirable. In easily readable, clear and accessible language, the author sets out the South African legal framework governing the different forms of family and personal relationships that exist in our multi-cultural society. “
– B J van Heerden - Judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal

“A Simple Guide to South African Family Law is a very informative book. I had the luck to share it with my listeners at Ukhozi FM and they still ask me ‘Where is Nthabiseng, the family law expert?’ It is easy to read and understand, so it reaches all people, including those who do not understand English. Great Book. Congratulations, ousie Nthabiseng!”
– Vusizwe Langa – SABC

“This book is long overdue. As a mediator for FAMSA and having worked many years at Johannesburg Family Court, this is a book that is needed by South Africans. Congratulations for thinking out of the box and trying to make life easier for the ordinary people of South Africa.”
– Gilbert Magome – Family Law Mediator

“This book seeks to defend marriage and family values in a simplified way. Many problems linked with family are connected to ignorance people have of the law. The author gives a simple, yet detailed, account of how these matters could be dealt with legally, while at the same time she promotes the institution of marriage. This book is an important tool for a pastor to have as it gives answers to questions that are often raised!”
– Fr Callistus Khathali – OMI

Table of Contents

Introduction
1 Marriage
2 Financial Consequences of a Marriage
3 Divorce
4 Cohabitation (vat & sit)
5 Children
6 Maintenance
7 Domestic Violence
8 Inheritance
Appendix
Useful Contact Details
Acknowledgment
Bibliography

About the Author

Nthabiseng Monareng holds an LLB degree (University of the Witwatersrand). She has a passion for family law and in particular for the empowerment of ordinary people in this area of law that affects every citizen. Her extensive knowledge of the field arises from experience both in practice and as a researcher at UNISA as well as the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. In addition, she has facilitated numerous workshops on family law, including some for the Black Lawyers Association.

She also assisted the legal department of People Opposing Women Abuse (POWA) in providing legal advice to their members, and was employed as a mediator at Legal Independent People's Corporation (LIPCO). She has written articles for both the popular press and law journals and has also been featured on radio as a family law expert. She currently runs her own practice called Phetoho Family Consultants.