South Africa’s law on marriage is fragmented and there are different laws that deal with different forms of marriage, such as the Marriage Act, the Civil Union Act, and the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act. The Draft Marriage Bill will consolidate all laws relating to marriage into one piece of legislation and recognise all types of intimate partnerships regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or religious, cultural and other beliefs. All South Africans and residents in the country of all sexual orientations, as well as religious and cultural beliefs, will be allowed to have legal unions in line with constitutional principles. The Bill outlines measures to prevent unions such as child and forced marriages and those done in the absence of the other party.