Primogeniture and ultimogeniture under scrutiny in South Africa and Botswana TP Wallis 21086826 Mini-dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Magister Legum in Estate Law at the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University, South Africa Supervisor: Prof C Rautenbach May 2016 i INDEX LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS .......................................................................................... iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .............................................................................................. v SUMMARY .................................................................................................................... vi CHAPTER 1 ................................................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Problem statement ...................................................................................... 1 1.2 Area of focus ................................................................................................ 5 1.2.1 Central research question .............................................................................. 5 1.2.2 Aims of the study ........................................................................................... 5 1.3 Research methodology ............................................................................... 5 1.4 Framework of proposed study ................................................................... 6 1.5 Concepts ...................................................................................................... 7 1.5.1 Customary law ............................................................................................... 7 1.5.2 Succession and inheritance ........................................................................... 9 1.5.3 Property ....................................................................................................... 10 1.5.4 Heir .............................................................................................................. 12 1.5.5 Primogeniture .............................................................................................. 13 1.5.6 Ultimogeniture.............................................................................................. 14 1.5.7 Patriarchy .................................................................................................... 15 1.6 Conclusion ................................................................................................. 16 CHAPTER 2 ................................................................................................................. 17 CUSTOMARY RULE OF MALE PRIMOGENITURE IN SOUTH AFRICA ................... 17 2.1 General introduction ................................................................................. 17 2.2 Male primogeniture in South Africa ......................................................... 19 2.2.1 Background ................................................................................................. 19 2.2.2 The concept of male primogeniture ............................................................. 20 i 2.2.2.1 Basic principles ............................................................................................ 20 2.2.2.2 Male primogeniture endorsed by section 23 ................................................ 21 2.3 Bhe decision .............................................................................................. 23 2.3.1 Facts and background ................................................................................. 23 2.3.2 Legal questions............................................................................................ 24 2.3.3 Judgement ................................................................................................... 24 2.4 Conclusion ................................................................................................. 38 CHAPTER 3 ................................................................................................................. 41 CUSTOMARY RULE OF ULTIMOGENITURE IN BOTSWANA .................................. 41 3.1 General introduction ................................................................................. 41 3.2 Historical development of customary law in Botswana ......................... 43 3.3 Male ultimogeniture ................................................................................... 45 3.3.1 Background with regard to customary law of succession in Botswana ........ 45 3.3.2 The concept of male ultimogeniture ............................................................. 47 3.4 Mmusi v Ramantele (BHC) and Ramantele v Mmusi (SCB) ................... 49 3.4.1 Facts and background ................................................................................. 49 3.4.2 Development of the Mmusi v Ramantele saga through different court structures ..................................................................................................... 50 3.4.3 Legal question in Ramantele v Mmusi (SCB) .............................................. 53 3.4.4 Judgement of Ramantele v Mmusi (SCB) .................................................... 53 3.5 Conclusion ................................................................................................. 57 CHAPTER 4 ................................................................................................................. 59 SOUTH AFRICA AND BOTSWANA COMPARED ...................................................... 59 4.1 Introduction ................................................................................................ 59 4.2 Legal status of customary law within South Africa and Botswana .................................................................................................... 62 4.2.1 Customary law in legislation ........................................................................ 62 ii 4.3 Differences in judgements of the highest courts of the two countries .................................................................................................... 64 4.3.1 Similarities ................................................................................................... 64 4.3.2 Differences .................................................................................................. 67 4.4 Conclusion ................................................................................................. 70 CHAPTER 5 ................................................................................................................. 72 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS .............................................................. 72 5.1 Conclusion ................................................................................................. 72 5.2 Recommendation ....................................................................................... 74 BIBLIOGRAPHY .......................................................................................................... 76 Literature ..................................................................................................................... 76 Case law ..................................................................................................................... 84 Legislation ................................................................................................................... 86 South Africa .................................................................................................................. 86 Botswana ..................................................................................................................... 86 Government publications .......................................................................................... 87 International instruments........................................................................................... 87 Internet sources .......................................................................................................... 87 Commissions .............................................................................................................. 88 DECLARATION ........................................................................................................... 89 iii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AHRLJ African Human Rights Law Journal CILSA Comparative and International Law Journal of Southern Africa JSAL Journal of South African Law PELJ Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal SAJHR South African Journal on Human Rights SALC South African Law Commission SALJ South African Law Journal SALRC South African Law Reform Commission SAPL South African Public Law Journal Stell LR Stellenbosch Law Review THRHR Journal of Contemporary Roman Dutch Law TSAR Journal for South African Law iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This mini-dissertation could not have been completed without the help and support from my study supervisor, the research staff, editors, colleagues and my family. It is my great pleasure to acknowledge the people who have given me the guidance, encouragement, help and support. First I would like to give glory to God for blessing me with the ability to complete not only two under-graduate degrees but now also a post-graduate degree. I wish to express my sincere gratitude to my study supervisor Prof. C Rautenbach. Thank you for affording me the opportunity to correctly