In this Act, unless the context otherwise indicates-

"civil union"

means the voluntary union of two persons who are both 18 years of age or older, which is solemnised and registered by way of either a marriage or a civil partnership, in accordance with the procedures prescribed in this Act, to the exclusion, while it lasts, of all others:

"civil union partner"

means a spouse in a marriage or a partner in a civil partnership, as the case may be, concluded in terms of this Act;

"Customary Marriages Act"

means the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act, 1998 (Act No. 120 of 1998);

"Identification Act"

means the Identification Act, 1997 (Act No. 68 of 1997);

"Marriage Act"

means the Marriage Act, 1961 (Act No. 25 of 1961);

"marriage officer"

means-

"Minister"

means the Cabinet member responsible for the administration of Home Affairs;

"prescribed"

means prescribed by this Act or by regulation made under this Act;

and

"this Act"

includes the regulations.