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Who is a child? According to the South African Constitution a child is any person under the age of 18.

Many children and young people want to know at what age they are permitted by law to do certain things. There are lots of different things you can and can’t do at different ages. The list below mentions some of them.

Age You Can
No minimum age According to South African law, a girl can have an abortion at any age without her parent’s knowledge or consent. However, the medical staff treating her will advise her to consult with her family members before she makes a final decision.
7 years If you are 7 years you can be charged in a criminal court, but the prosecutor will have to prove that you have criminal capacity if you are below the age of 14 years.
10 years If you are going to be adopted and you are 10 years or older, then you must consent to your own adoption – so the adoption cannot happen unless you agree.
14 years At 14 years you are considered to be fully capable of committing a crime, and if the case is very serious you could even be sent to prison if you are found guilty, although the courts do have other options as well, like community service.
14 years If you are 14 years or older you can get medical treatment on your own without your parents assisting you.
15 years You must attend school until the end of the year in which you turn 15 years of age.
15 years You can start working when you are 15 years old, but you may not do work which is harmful or hazardous to your health.
16 years At 16 years you can consent to having sex. The age of consent is the same for boys and girls. Having sex with a person under the age of 16 years is illegal, even if that person agrees to have sex.
16 years You can make your own will (but make sure that your signature is witnessed by two other people over the age of 16 years who are both present whilst you sign and whilst each of them sign).
17 years
 You can get your learner’s licence.
17 years You can join the army.
Turning 18 years

A new law has recently been passed and in terms of that law the age of 18 is now the age of majority. This means that you no longer have to wait until you are 21 to be regarded as an adult in law. Once you turn 18 you will be able to conclude contracts without a need for your parents’ consent or permission.

If you need advice on your rights (and responsibilities) in this regard feel free to contact us.

Do you have other questions about “at what age can I?” send your query by email to Desiree.Willemse@up.ac.za, or fill in the query form.

  
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