La Mercy woman's polyandrous wedding challenges SA marriage laws
The symbolic wedding of a married woman to a second husband in Ballito has reignited debate over gender equality, cultural norms and legal inconsistencies in South Africa's marriage laws.
Jo-Leen Geldenhuys (34) – known as the 'Pink Pitbull' in boxing circles – married her boxing coach, Santini Lee (38), in a traditional, though not legally binding, ceremony at Salmon Bay on April 26. She remains legally married to her husband of 12 years, Jack Geldenhuys (37), with whom she has four children.
Polyandry – where a woman has multiple husbands – is not recognised under South African law, while polygamy for men is permitted under customary law.
'Afrikaans culture holds strong religious and patriarchal traditions, which can be isolating when advocating for progressive ideas,' she said.
Originally from the North West, Geldenhuys moved to La Mercy last October. Her lifestyle has drawn online criticism, but she says prejudice comes from across cultural lines, not just her own community.
'Polyandry is more than a legal issue – it's cultural and societal,' she said.
'I've received messages from other couples who are afraid to speak out. That's why I will continue to advocate for recognition of polyandrous relationships.'
She draws inspiration from the LGBTQ+ community and says her story promotes broader dialogue around personal freedom and the influence of religion in law-making.
South Africa's Constitution guarantees equality before the law and prohibits discrimination on grounds such as marital status (Section 9.3, Bill of Rights). Geldenhuys believes this clause should support the legalisation of polyandry.
Polyandry is not uncommon around the world but very rarely accepted. It is legal in Nigeria and Kenya. In India and Tibet, fraternal polyandry – where a woman marries a set of brothers – continues to be practiced.
A 2021 green paper by the Department of Home Affairs proposed the legal recognition of polyandry in South Africa, sparking fierce national debate, with many conservative voices labelling it 'unAfrican.'
One prominent critic of the proposal was reality TV star Musa Mseleku, who has four wives. The main concerns raised by Mseleku involved the potential impact on family structure and the legal complexities of determining paternity.
'I don't have the resources to take this to court,' Geldenhuys said.
'But by sharing my story, I hope to inspire change.'
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