The Concourt's Decision on Surnames
The Constitutional Court's recent ruling allows husbands to legally take their wives' surnames, sparking debate across South Africa.
Justice Jody Kollapen stated that preventing men from doing so
"unfairly discriminated against them"and noted that
"the right to equality is not a one-way street".
This decision is seen as a victory by many South Africans, as it challenges the traditional assumption that women should change their identity in marriage.
- The application was brought by two couples: Jana Jordaan and Henry van der Merwe, and Jess Donnelly-Bornman and Andreas Nicolaas Bornman.
Author's summary: The Concourt rules on surname equality.