How difficult is it for an unmarried father to register a child`s birth?

Source: 702 Radio, 29/08/2018

After a number of calls from fathers explaining the difficulties
they`ve faced registering their child`s birth without the mothers
present, Bongani Bingwa invited Home Affairs to respond.
Acting Director-General of Home Affairs Thulani Mavuso says there are
two categories when one registers a birth.
Children born in wedlock and children born out of wedlock. In South
Africa, children that are born out of wedlock are registered under the
mother`s surname.
â€` Thulani Mavuso, Acting Director-General of Home Affairs
Also where paternity has been acknowledged and the mother consents
that the child can be registered using the father`s surname, the
department accepts that.
â€` Thulani Mavuso, Acting Director-General of Home Affairs
He adds that it is a question of the two parties agreeing on the
process and Home Affairs doesn`t refuse when the mother says they
aren`t married but would like the child to be registered under the
father`s surname.
He says when there isn`t an agreement between the parents, Home
Affairs doesn`t regulate between the two parties.
But what we do is take the interest of the child and that is why the
mother`s surname will then take effect because she is the one who has
given birth to the child.
â€` Thulani Mavuso, Acting Director-General of Home Affairs
And Home Affairs cannot give the father rights as the mother should be
the one that gives consent.
â€` Thulani Mavuso, Acting Director-General of Home Affairs
He says if there is still no agreement, then it is a matter of the
courts to decide.
Fathers can register the birth without mothers in that instance but
there will be multiple verifications that we would have to do.
â€` Thulani Mavuso, Acting Director-General of Home Affairs
One of the instances is if the fathers come to Home Affairs and say he
is the father and the mother is no longer there, they then need to
bring proof of death, hospital records.
â€` Thulani Mavuso, Acting Director-General of Home Affairs
He adds that if the father shows without doubt reasons linking him to
this particular child, then they can register.
He says there are other instances when a father shows up with a
16-year-old, without a mother present, it becomes difficult to prove
the authenticity.
We then say to that particular person, is that they should do a DNA test.
â€` Thulani Mavuso, Acting Director-General of Home Affairs