A South African man named Bhut’Lun Ngcobo has gained significant attention on social media for a photo he shared. The picture features him and his wife, accompanied by a caption.
“I can never thank you enough for putting your father’s house under my name. I love you”.
The post has generated a lot of buzz on social media, with many people congratulating him for being with such an amazing woman.
“Bro, you are really lucky. Do such women exist again? A Nigerian woman can never do this. It’s time for me to get a South African woman.” Shegun Hilary reacted
“Other ladies should copy this woman’s example. This is an example of a virtuous woman. Truly, he who finds a woman finds a good thing.” Mtolo Shaik reacted too.
South African women are known to be generous and grateful towards their husbands. But this particular gesture has stirred things up for many.
We have heard women offer and give up things just to please their husbands and make them happy. But putting their family properties under their husband’s names is one of a kind.
However, this can best be understood within the context of the customary laws in place.
The woman’s action aligns with certain customary laws observed in certain regions of South Africa. Customary laws and practises differ among tribes and even within tribes, but they are primarily rooted in similar social principles.
In parts of South Africa and indeed most areas in the continent, it is customary for the father to be the head of a family and automatically have ownership of everything.
In accordance with the patrilineal system of marriage commonly practised by most Africans, it is understood that a married woman becomes a member of her husband’s ethnic group. The eldest son will inherit the majority of the assets the couple acquired or owned during their marriage from the husband.
In theory, a woman has the right to retain certain property, such as her ploughing fields, which she intends to pass on to her daughter after her death. The male head of the household has the authority to decide whether the property will be transferred to the daughter upon her marriage.
While it is technically true that the woman should have ownership rights over the land and the authority to make decisions about it, in many cases, the male head of the household holds the power to make all decisions regarding land transfer within the family. He has the power to revoke the woman’s access to the land whenever he wants.
Within this context, one begins to wonder if such laws apply in Bhut’Lun Ngcobo’s case and his woman just decided to be preemptive and receive appreciation, or she was just truly magnanimous.
