BUSHBUCKRIDGE, MPUMALANGA — The national campaign to improve access to estate planning and the administration of deceased estates was launched in Bushbuckridge on Tuesday as Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, opened National Wills Week in the area.
Focus on access to justice for underserved communities
The week-long initiative, observed each September, aims to give people information about why having a valid will matters and to provide practical help with drafting documents. It also highlights the role of the Master of the High Court in administering estates and seeks to reach households that do not normally consult private legal practitioners.
Government offices and participating attorneys will offer assistance during the campaign. Service desks will be set up at Master of the High Court offices across the country, supported by private-practice legal personnel, to assist members of the public with will-making without charge.
Why a will matters — local consequences explained
The minister used the launch to persuade people from all walks of life to draft formal wills. She stressed the practical consequences when someone dies without one, including disputes over property and the potential for children to lose access to family homes.
"Protect the people that you love while you are still alive."
Kubayi also drew attention to circumstances often overlooked in will planning, such as polygamous unions and questions facing public servants. She said that even owners of state-provided houses and people in customary marriages should make arrangements to ensure dependants are protected after death.
Services available and who can benefit
The department said the campaign forms part of broader efforts to expand access to justice by making legal advice more accessible and affordable. During National Wills Week, members of the public will receive complimentary assistance to create wills, which should reduce the number of intestate estates and clarify how assets are distributed.
- Free will drafting: assistance at government and participating lawyer offices.
- Information on the Master of the High Court: guidance on the executor role and estate administration.
- Support for vulnerable groups: outreach to people who cannot normally access private legal services.
The campaign also offers an opportunity to educate communities that culturally regard discussions about death as taboo. Officials said opening up the conversation can prevent disputes and protect children and other dependants.
What residents should bring and next steps
While the department has not published a comprehensive checklist for every office, people seeking assistance are generally advised to bring identification documents, details of assets and liabilities, and information about beneficiaries and dependants. Those with questions about polygamous marriages or customary unions may need to provide additional supporting information so their wishes are recorded clearly.
| Service | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Will drafting | Formalise how assets are distributed on death |
| Master of the High Court desks | Explain estate administration and executor duties |
| Legal practitioner support | Provide professional guidance and finalise documents |
Authorities encourage people to use the week to put their affairs in order rather than waiting until a crisis. The department emphasised that the services are intended to complement private legal advice and to remove barriers for lower-income households.
Local municipal offices and community organisations in Mpumalanga are expected to publicise where residents can access support during the campaign. Anyone unable to visit a participating office should contact the nearest Master of the High Court or provincial justice office for details of service desks and participating practitioners.
As the campaign proceeds, officials said they hope more people will take steps that lower the administrative burden on surviving family members and reduce conflict over estates — outcomes with tangible impacts on social stability and household welfare in communities such as Bushbuckridge.
Reporting from Bushbuckridge highlights the practical value of initiatives that connect legal services to communities often excluded from private legal markets. The week provides a low-cost opportunity for residents to protect dependants and clarify their final wishes.
