Resources and Service Providers
We’re happy to share information about resources and service providers that might be helpful, though we can’t personally vouch for each one. We encourage you to explore these options and choose what works best for you, keeping in mind that it’s always good to do your own research too.
This page is a work in progress, and we’ll be adding more service providers in the coming months. If you’re a service provider in this field and would like to be included, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Legal
Ulama Bodies who can facilitate a Talāq or grant a Faskh:
Organisations that can assist with divorce mediations or proceedings:
ProBono.Org
ProBono.Org is a non-profit organization that helps connect people who need free legal help with private lawyers who are willing to work for free (pro bono).
If you can't afford to pay for a lawyer (which they check through a means test) and your case is considered valid (checked through a merit assessment), they will get a private lawyer to represent you or help you for free. They assist with family law and gender-based violence matters and have offices in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg.
FAMSA
FAMSA Western Cape is a non-profit organisation who offers divorce mediation to couples undergoing a divorce.
They also assist divorced couples devise Parenting Plans, which is a tool or strategy to assist separating, divorcing and post divorced parents to amicably mediate or reach mutual agreements about all aspects of the changes that will affect their children’s lives. They are based in Observatory, Cape Town
UCT Law Clinic
UCT Law Clinic will assist with legal advice and civil divorce proceedings for those who cannot afford a lawyer.
They are based at UCT in Rondebosch but also have satellite clinics in Athlone, Retreat and Ocean View.
Law firms that can assist with divorce proceedings:
Kaamilah Paulse
Kaamila Paulse Director of Family and Matrimonial Matters at Herold Gie attorneys, can assist with instituting civil divorces in terms of the Divorce
Amendment Act, 2024, for those couples married by Muslim rites only. Her offices are based in Cape Town
Faizel Bardien
Faizel Bardien is a director at DKVG Attorneys and specialises in Muslim Personal Law. He can assist with mediating Muslim family disputes, Muslim marriage contracts, Shariah-compliant wills, and administration of estates
He is at DKVG’s Claremont office and can be reached on fbardien@dkvg.co.za or 021 683 3553. For more information on the services offered by the firm or Faizel Bardien please visit the website: https://dkvg.co.za/
Rifqah Omar
Rifqah Omar is an attorney at Bisset Boehmke McBlain who specialises in Muslim Personal Law and Family Law. She handles matters such as divorces, contact and care and child maintenance matters.
She can be reached on r.omar@bissets.com or 021 441 9800. For more information on the services offered by Rifqah Omar and Bisset Boehmke McBlain, please visit the website: https://bissets.com/
Forms to complete:
Application for Protection Order
When applying for a Protection Order in terms of the Domestic Violence Act - can be accessed below.
Application for Maintenance Order
When applying for Maintenance for minor children in terms of the Maintenance Act - can be accessed below.
Checklists
Documents for Maintenance Application
Checklist of documents required when applying for maintenance for dependent children
Grandparents Maintenance Application Checklist
Checklist of documents required when grandparents are applying for maintenance for dependent grandchildren
Mental Health Care Providers
Who provide individual and/or couple counselling for those going through a divorce:
The Counselling Hub
The Counselling Hub is a non-profit organisation dedicated to providing accessible mental health services to the community
They offer individual, in-person and online counselling sessions, at an affordable cost of R50 each. Their short term solution focused sessions are designed to empower clients on their journey to emotional well-being. They can be found in The Palms in Woodstock, Cape Town.
FAMSA
FAMSA Western Cape is a non-profit organisation that specialises in relationship counselling.
They offer support to individuals and couples who are contemplating or undergoing divorce, regardless of religion, race, or culture. Their fees are based on a sliding scale, determined by a means test (i.e. your income is assessed to determine the cost of counselling). They are based in Observatory, Cape Town.
021 447 7951 / 082 231 0373
The Parent Centre
The Parent Centre is a non-profit organisation that conducts positive parenting and child management programmes and workshops
For more information, contact them on WhatsApp 071 004 6754 or landline 021 762 0116.
Private Mental Health Care Providers
Who provide individual and/or couple counselling for those going through a divorce :
Zubeida Ahmed
Zubeida Ahmed is a Holistic Counsellor. One of her areas of speciality is relationship/couple counselling.
Fairuz Gaibie
Fairuz Gaibie is a Clinical Psychologist in private practice based in Plumstead. She has extensive experience working with conflict in Muslim families and in couples counselling.
Zohra Ismail Sooliman
Zohra Ismail Sooliman is a Counselling Psychologist in private practice who specialises in marriage and trauma counselling. She consults in person and online and is based in Mountain Rise, KZN.
Organisations
Who assists women who have experienced gender-based violence:
Ihata Shelter
Ihata Shelter for abused women and children. They offer shelter and sanctuary as well as programmes to educate, uplift and empower vulnerable women. Their shelter is based in Heideveld, in the Cape Flats
Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children
Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children (is a one-stop centre for women and children who are survivors of abuse. Their vision is the creation of a safe and secure society and a human rights culture where women and children are empowered to exercise their full rights
Organisations
Who can assist women with financial relief upon divorce:
South African National Zakāh Fund (SANZAF)
South African National Zakāh Fund (SANZAF) is actively involved in welfare, development, education, emergency relief, as well as the provision of food aid and shelter for those in need. They have offices all over South Africa