Lobolo or lobola in Zulu, Swazi, Xhosa, Silozi, Shona and northern and southern Ndebele (mahadi in Sesotho, magadi in Setswana, lovola in Xitsonga), and mamalo in Tshivenda language, sometimes referred to as "bride wealth" or "bride price" is a property in livestock or kind, which a prospective husband, or head of his family, undertakes to give to the head of a prospective wife's family in gratitude of letting the husband marry their daughter. Lobolo and the Law In South Africa, where the custom of lobolo is widely practiced, the union was previously concluded in terms of customary law, but is now governed under the Recognition of Customary Marriages, 1998 (Act 120 of 1998) (RCMA) and has the following prerequisites in order for a marriage to qualify under customary law: Consensus – Historically, the consensus was sought between the families of the prospective bride and groom. Since 2008, the RCMA states that consensus is required only between the individuals, and not their families. Age requirements – According to customary law, no specific age requirement exists; however, the RCMA includes a minimum age requirement of 18. Lobolo – A customary marriage, under the RCMA, is valid on the agreement to pay lobolo and does not require the payment of lobolo. Transfer of the bride – The transfer of a bride is another requirement for the validity of a customary marriage. The RCMA does not specifically regulate this custom and it is dealt with on an ad-hoc basis. Absence of common-law marriage – Two parties in a monogamous customary marriage can enter into a common law marriage, but not vice versa Prohibited degrees of relationship – In the past, each community had its own rules about prohibited relationships. These rules have evolved over the years. The RCMA states that these prohibited relationships are regulated by customary rules. South African law recognizes customary marriages through the Recognition of Customary Marriages, 1998 (Act 120 of 1998). The purpose of the Act was to address gender inequality and the diminished rights of women in customary marriages. The Act was passed in order to improve the position of such women by using measures that brought customary law in line with the provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, as well as South Africa's international human rights commitments. A key requirement for a customary marriage to be recognized as a valid marriage is that the