enacted by the Parliament of South Africa

“ Whenever any person acted as a marriage officer in respect of any marriage while he was not a marriage officer and both parties to that marriage bona fide believed that such person was in fact a marriage officer, the Minister or any officer in the public service authorized thereto by him may, after having conducted such inquiry as he may deem fit, in writing direct that such person shall for all purposes be deemed to have been duly designated as a marriage officer in respect of that marriage. ”

“ If parties appear before a marriage officer for the purpose of contracting a marriage with each other and such marriage officer reasonably suspects that either of them is of an age which debars him or her from contracting a valid marriage without the consent or permission of some other person, he may refuse to solemnize a marriage between them unless he is furnished with such consent or permission in writing or with satisfactory proof showing that the party in question is entitled to contract a marriage without such consent or permission. ”

“ After a marriage has been solemnized by a marriage officer, a minister of religion or a person holding a responsible position in a religious denomination or organization may bless such marriage according to the rites of his religious denomination or organization. ”