According to Statistics South Africa's Marriages and Divorces report for 2024, a total of 24,202 divorces were granted in 2024, up from 22,230 in 2023. This rise in divorce figures has raised concerns about the stability of families in South Africa. The Department of Social Development believes that stronger family relationships, including stable marriages, can play a crucial role in addressing social challenges such as crime, violence, and gender-based violence.
The Department of Social Development is turning to marriage enrichment programmes to encourage stronger relationships and resilient communities. As part of National Marriages Week, the department will host a couples' seminar in Howick, KwaZulu-Natal, on November 14, under the theme "Rooted in Love". The seminar aims to give married couples an opportunity to reflect on their relationships, while promoting commitment, trust, mutual respect, and effective communication.
The initiative is guided by the White Paper on Families, which identifies marriage as one of the institutions that can contribute to strengthening families. The policy recognises families as the foundation of society, with an important role in nurturing individuals, promoting socialisation, supporting economic stability, and contributing to nation-building. It also advocates for healthy family relationships, responsible parenting, marriage enrichment, and stronger community support systems.
The Department of Social Development believes that successful marriages require continuous effort, understanding, and partnership rather than love alone. The growing number of divorces has put renewed focus on the importance of supporting couples and strengthening family relationships. The department's National Marriages Week campaign seeks to encourage couples to invest in their relationships and create stronger support structures for families.
South Africa's legal framework recognises civil marriages, customary marriages, and civil unions through the Marriage Act, the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act, and the Civil Union Act. These laws provide for the recognition and protection of different unions in line with constitutional principles of equality, dignity, and freedom from discrimination.
The department's efforts to strengthen marriages and family relationships are aligned with the National Development Plan's Vision 2030, which identifies stable families and cohesive communities as important to social development and inclusive economic growth. The policy recognises different family structures and calls for the protection and support of all types of families.
The rise in divorce figures has put a spotlight on the state of South African marriages, with the government seeking to promote stronger relationships and resilient communities through marriage enrichment programmes. The Department of Social Development's initiatives aim to encourage couples to invest in their relationships and create stronger support structures for families, ultimately contributing to a more stable and cohesive society.
Key points
- The South African government is implementing marriage enrichment programmes to promote stronger relationships and resilient communities in response to a rise in divorce figures.
- A total of 24,202 divorces were granted in 2024, up from 22,230 in 2023, according to Statistics South Africa's Marriages and Divorces report for 2024.
- The Department of Social Development's initiatives are guided by the White Paper on Families and aligned with the National Development Plan's Vision 2030.
