The Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Kgalema Motlanthe will deliver the keynote address at the first-ever graduation function of Imams as marriage officers.
Media is invited as follows:
Date: 30 April 2014
Time: 10h00-12h00
Venue: Old Mutual Park, Jan Smuts Drive, Pinelands, Cape Town
Over 100 Imams, from the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, who took part in the Department of Home Affairs’ pilot programme to train as marriage officers, will receive certificates, recognising them as marriage officers in accordance with the Marriage Act of 1961.
The significance is that for the first time in South Africa’s history, Muslim marriages conducted by these Imams will be recorded on the National Population Register, thereby receive legal status and recognition afforded by the Constitution.
The Department of Home Affairs is responsible for appointing marriage officers who are expected to register all the marriages they officiate over.
Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, will be joined by Home Affairs Minister Naledi Pandor and Deputy Minister Fatima Chohan as well as Muslim community leaders.
This is a first in South Africa’s long walk to a new society. It is a good story for the country’s 20 years of democracy.
RSVP: Thabo Mokgola 071 712 9710
Enquiries:
Lunga Ngqengelele
Cell: 082 566 0446
David Hlabane
Cell: 071 527 9463 or 083 399 0125
