It is important for people to make wills. In a will people can say what they want to happen to their property after they die.

Any person over the age of 16 can make a will, as long as they know and understand what they are doing. In a will you can leave your property to anyone you wish – wives, husbands, children, relatives, friends or strangers.

When you have decided how you want to divide up your property, you must decide who will do this for you when you die. The person you choose is called an executor.

If you don’t choose an executor, the Master of the High Court will name someone executor, usually a member of your family.

You must make a will in writing. You can choose any two people older than 14 years as witnesses, but they must not be people that you left anything to in the will. You must initial the will on every page and, at the end, in the presence of the witnesses, sign in full. The witnesses must also initial on every page and sign in full at the end.
(See: Example of a simple will)