The South African government said on Thursday that it will respect the ruling by the Constitutional Court on same-sex marriages.

Joel Netshitenze, spokesman for the government, said that the government noted the ruling and will respect the judgment.

"The Department of Home Affairs will assess what practical steps will be needed to give effect to the change in the law and make appropriate recommendations to the minister," he said.

He also noted that the court gave Parliament 12 months to effect the necessary change in the Marriage Act.

Happiness at the Constitutional Court's support for gay marriages was dampened at its ruling that couples would have to wait a year before their unions are recognized by the law.

The court was quiet as Judge Albie Sachs read the judgment, applause fizzling out as people turned to each other to hug and celebrate their victory at finally being given the legal right to marry.

This was in stark contrast o the ebullient mood that marked Marie Fourie and Cecilia Bonthuys and 18 other couples' Constitutional Court hearings earlier this year.

The court ruled that section 30 (1) of the Marriage Act was unconstitutional because the wording allowed only for marriages between men and women.

It gave Parliament 12 months from Thursday's judgment to include the words "or spouse" after the words wife or husband.

If not done in time, the relevant section of the Act would automatically be read to include those words, which take away the legal requirement that a marriage be between a man and a woman.

Marriage officers could refuse to marry a same sex couple if it went against their conscience, the court added.

Although considered a victory, the ruling means couples will have to keep the celebratory champagne on ice for a year.

(Xinhua News Agency December 2, 2005)