Polygamy in South Africa
Encyclopedia
While polygamy
and civil recognition of polygamous marriage
s are illegal, South African customary law affords a generous amount of benefits to polygamous unions, ranging from inheritance rights to child custody, thanks to a 1998 law that allowed for such. South African traditionalists have been well known to practice polygamy and the topic has been a serious political issue in the past several years, especially in the 2009 elections.
Jacob Zuma
, the current president of South Africa, is a self-proclaimed polygamist. He has been married five times, and is currently married to three different women. He has reportedly fathered 20 children among his wives and mistresses.
Polygamy
Polygamy is a marriage which includes more than two partners...
and civil recognition of polygamous marriage
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
s are illegal, South African customary law affords a generous amount of benefits to polygamous unions, ranging from inheritance rights to child custody, thanks to a 1998 law that allowed for such. South African traditionalists have been well known to practice polygamy and the topic has been a serious political issue in the past several years, especially in the 2009 elections.
Jacob Zuma
Jacob Zuma
Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma is the President of South Africa, elected by parliament following his party's victory in the 2009 general election....
, the current president of South Africa, is a self-proclaimed polygamist. He has been married five times, and is currently married to three different women. He has reportedly fathered 20 children among his wives and mistresses.