The rich cultural diversity of South Africa is beautifully reflected in its legal framework, particularly concerning marriages. The Recognition of Customary Marriages Act, 1998, holds a pivotal role in acknowledging and safeguarding the institution of customary marriages. While the importance of lobola as a customary practice cannot be denied, recent High Court judgments have highlighted that the validity of a customary marriage is not solely determined by lobola but includes a broader spectrum of factors. To discuss this Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Cultural expert Professor Musa Xulu and Kholofelo Mashitisho , Attorney at Mashitisho Attorneys