• South Africa's top court rules men can now take their wives' surnames.
• The ruling marks a significant shift in gender equality laws, overturning an outdated ban.
• Legislation previously restricted men's ability to change their surnames to their wives' names, considered patriarchal.
• The ruling was celebrated online, with many viewing it as a return to traditional African customs.

South Africa's Constitutional Court has ruled that men are now legally permitted to take their wives' surnames, overturning a long-standing law that prevented this practice. This decision came as a result of a case brought by two couples who challenged the restrictions, arguing that the law constituted gender-based discrimination. The court described the previous law as a "colonial import," reinforcing a patriarchal view that limits individual identity, and mandating amendments to the Births and Deaths Registration Act in light of this ruling, according to BBC and Bangkok Post.

The court's ruling emphasized that the legal ban served no legitimate purpose, reinforcing the argument that it negatively affected both men's and women's identities. It particularly highlighted that the discrimination was "far more insidious" for women who have been traditionally tied to their husband's surnames. This case reflects a broader need for legal reforms in South Africa, which has been striving for equality since the end of apartheid, according to Africanews and India Times.

The ruling is viewed as a significant victory for gender equality and has sparked a celebratory response on social media platforms, where users have discussed the historical context of surname adoption in Africa. Traditionally, African cultures often maintained matriarchal lineages that were overshadowed by colonial influences enforcing patriarchal norms. The court’s decision has been interpreted as a restoration of these original customs, according to BBC, Africanews, and India Times.