Official source
Source domain: legal-aid.co.za
Collected on 17 June 2026
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Drive a motorcycle
A 16-year-old can legally drive a motorcycle.
Can legally drive a motorcycle;
Reference
AGE OF MAJORITY 18 YEARS
Access contraceptives and HIV testing
A minor above the age of 12 has the right to access contraceptives and undergo HIV testing.
Although the legal age of sexual consent is 16, minors above the age of 12 have the right to access contraceptives and undergo HIV testing.
Register as a voter
A 16-year-old can register as a voter, though they can only vote once they turn 18.
Can register as a voter but can only actually vote when 18;
Be employed
A 15-year-old can be employed.
Can be employed;
Disclose HIV status
A minor aged 12 can consent to disclose their HIV status.
At age 12, a child may also consent to disclose his or her HIV status.
Leave school
A 15-year-old can choose to leave school.
Can choose to leave school;
Consent to medical treatment
A 14-year-old can consent to their own medical treatment.
Can consent to his/her own medical treatment;
Open and operate a bank account
A 16-year-old can open and operate a bank account and be liable for all obligations and conditions applicable to adult clients.
Can open and operate a bank account and be liable for all the obligations and conditions applicable to adult clients;
Make a valid will
A 16-year-old can make a valid will.
Can make a valid will;
Be a witness to a will
A 14-year-old can act as a witness to someone else’s will.
Can be a witness to someone else’s will;
Be served court papers
A 16-year-old can be served legal papers by the court of law.
Can be served papers by the court of law;
Enter into civil marriage with parental consent
A 15-year-old can enter into a civil marriage with the consent of parents or guardians.
Can enter into a civil law marriage with the consent of parents or guardians.
Work underground in vocational training
A 16-year-old can work underground in a mine as part of a vocational training programme.
Can work underground in a mine as part of a vocational training programme (but may NOT be employed at an underground mine until the age of 18).
Buy cigarettes and tobacco products
A 16-year-old can legally buy and sell cigarettes or any other tobacco products.
Can buy and sell cigarettes or any other tobacco products;
Consent to sex
A 16-year-old can legally consent to sex.
Can consent to sex;
Donate blood
A 14-year-old can consent to donating blood.
Can consent to donating blood;
Terminate pregnancy
A minor may terminate their own pregnancy at any age.
A minor may terminate their own pregnancy at any age.
Apply for Child Support Grant
A 16-year-old who is the caregiver of their own child or younger siblings can apply for a Child Support Grant in their own name.
Can apply for a Child Support Grant in his/her own name for his/her own child or younger siblings if the primary caregiver;
Consent to donate organs after death
A 16-year-old can consent to donate their body organs after death.
Can agree to donate his/her own body organs (after death);
