Lawmakers Propose Benefits for Long Marriages
A new proposal seeks to reward couples who have stayed married for decades, by introducing special anniversary payments. The idea is to encourage and support long-term family relationships, while also promoting traditional values and tackling declining birth rates.
The suggested plan would provide payments to couples who have been married for at least 30 years. For example, a couple celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary would receive about R6,000, with the amount increasing by R2,000 for every additional 10 years of marriage, reaching up to R14,000 for those married for 70 years.
Although the first draft of this idea was rejected, lawmakers are continuing to push for its adoption. They are gathering updated data from regions where similar support is already offered and plan to bring the matter up again during the 2026 budget discussions.
The initiative is also in line with broader policies aimed at strengthening families, which include the creation of national councils and support services focused on family values.
Now, imagine if such a law were introduced in South Africa. Couples celebrating decades of commitment could receive financial recognition from the state — a gesture that not only eases financial burdens but also emphasizes the importance of stable, long-lasting marriages in society.
