I'm researching civil partners/unions on the web (looking for loopholes in the law re death benefits paid out to spouses but not to long term partners) and came upon this paragraph which oddly made me feel so content about our constitution:
In order to reflect values of equality and dignity consistent with sections 9 and 10 of
lhe Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (“the Constitution”), balanced with the right to freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief and opinion, as provided for in section 15 of the Constitution, the Bill provides for the conclusion of
civil unions. In terms of this Bill provision is made for opposite- and same-sex couples of 18 years or older to solemnise and register a voluntary union by way of either a marriage or a civil partnership. Care has been taken to ensure that a distinction is drawn between the responsibilities of State and church, as section 15(3) of the Constitution is indicative of sensitivity in favour of acknowledging diversity in matters of marriage.The Bill provides for same-sex couples to be married by civil marriage officers and such religious marriage officers who consider such marriages not to fall outside the tenets of their religion.
We've got a wonderful constitution, just such a pity our leaders tend to be such rubbish.
