Text in Afrikaans / This study aims at determining the value which is attributed to a wife's household actions in terms of section 7(3)-(6) of the Divorce Act 70 of 1979. The nature, quantity and quality of a wife's contribution are discussed on the basis of various decided cases and on the basis of factors which influence the extent of the redistribution of assets. The comments of various writers on sections 7(3)-(6) of the Divorce Act 70 of 1979 are also discussed. Since there are few decided cases in South Africa which are relevant to this study, a number of foreign legal systems are looked at by way of comparison to determine possible directional trends with regard to the value of a wife's services in the household. / Die doel van hierdie studie is om die waarde van die vrou se dienste in die huishouding te bepaal binne die konteks van eise ingevolge artikels 7(3)-(6) van die Wet op Egskeiding 70 van 1979. Die aard, kwantiteit en kwaliteit van die vrou se bydrae word bespreek aan die hand van regspraak en aan die hand van faktore wat 'n invloed op die omvang van die herverdeling van bates het. Verskeie outeurs se kritiek teen artikels 7(3)-(6) van die Wet op Egskeiding 70 van 1979 word ook bespreek. Aangesien daar in die konteks van hierdie studie min Suid-Afrikaanse regspraak is, word 'n aantal buitelandse regstelsels vergelykenderwys bespreek om moontlike rigtinggewende neigings ten opsigte van die waarde van die vrou se dienste in die huishouding te bepaal. / Private Law / LL. M.

Text in Afrikaans / This study aims at determining the value which is attributed to a wife's household actions in terms of section 7(3)-(6) of the Divorce Act 70 of 1979. The nature, quantity and quality of a wife's contribution are discussed on the basis of various decided cases and on the basis of factors which influence the extent of the redistribution of assets. The comments of various writers on sections 7(3)-(6) of the Divorce Act 70 of 1979 are also discussed. Since there are few decided cases in South Africa which are relevant to this study, a number of foreign legal systems are looked at by way of comparison to determine possible directional trends with regard to the value of a wife's services in the household. / Die doel van hierdie studie is om die waarde van die vrou se dienste in die huishouding te bepaal binne die konteks van eise ingevolge artikels 7(3)-(6) van die Wet op Egskeiding 70 van 1979. Die aard, kwantiteit en kwaliteit van die vrou se bydrae word bespreek aan die hand van regspraak en aan die hand van faktore wat 'n invloed op die omvang van die herverdeling van bates het. Verskeie outeurs se kritiek teen artikels 7(3)-(6) van die Wet op Egskeiding 70 van 1979 word ook bespreek. Aangesien daar in die konteks van hierdie studie min Suid-Afrikaanse regspraak is, word 'n aantal buitelandse regstelsels vergelykenderwys bespreek om moontlike rigtinggewende neigings ten opsigte van die waarde van die vrou se dienste in die huishouding te bepaal. / Private Law / LL. M.

With the advent of a new constitutional dispensation in South Africa, intimate relationships that were not formally recognised, such as customary marriages, became fully recognised through designated legislation. Domestic partnerships are, however, afforded only limited recognition despite compelling reasons that lead people to domestic partnerships. Domestic partners are also discriminated against based on marital status despite a Constitution that forbids discrimination based on equality, human dignity and marital status. The object of this study is to investigate whether there are sufficient grounds to afford domestic partnerships full recognition similar to that granted to civil marriage. This study includes arguments in favour and against the recognition of domestic partnerships and a discussion of the reasons that lead people into domestic partnerships. There will also be an analysis of the draft Domestic Partnership Bill 36 of 2008 to determine the suitability of the draft Bill to regulate domestic partnerships. This investigation is conducted with reference to relevant draft Bills, legislation, and case law. / Private Law / LLM

With the advent of a new constitutional dispensation in South Africa, intimate relationships that were not formally recognised, such as customary marriages, became fully recognised through designated legislation. Domestic partnerships are, however, afforded only limited recognition despite compelling reasons that lead people to domestic partnerships. Domestic partners are also discriminated against based on marital status despite a Constitution that forbids discrimination based on equality, human dignity and marital status. The object of this study is to investigate whether there are sufficient grounds to afford domestic partnerships full recognition similar to that granted to civil marriage. This study includes arguments in favour and against the recognition of domestic partnerships and a discussion of the reasons that lead people into domestic partnerships. There will also be an analysis of the draft Domestic Partnership Bill 36 of 2008 to determine the suitability of the draft Bill to regulate domestic partnerships. This investigation is conducted with reference to relevant draft Bills, legislation, and case law. / Private Law / LL. M.