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Court Dismisses Mother’s R51,000 Child Maintenance Application for Daughter’s Dance School

A Western Cape High Court judge has dismissed a Hermanus mother’s urgent application for an increase in child maintenance to fund her 14-year-old daughter’s move to a prestigious dance school in Cape Town. The court ruled that the urgency of the matter was self-created.
The mother, whose identity remains undisclosed to protect her child, sought R51,000 in monthly maintenance to enable her daughter, an exceptionally talented dancer, to join Prestige Dance in Somerset West. The teenager has represented South Africa on international stages, including the 2024 Dance Star Competition in Croatia.
The mother argued that the dance school in Hermanus no longer provided adequate opportunities for her daughter to showcase her talent. She proposed relocating to Green Point, closer to the prestigious school, where fees amount to R15,000 per month. The proposed monthly budget included accommodation costs of R22,500, transport, and other expenses.
She claimed that missing this opportunity would negatively impact her daughter’s future in dance and asserted that her ex-husband, with his substantial income and assets, could afford the increased maintenance.
The father opposed the application, describing it as an attempt to bypass the maintenance court process. He stated that he already pays R7,000 per month in maintenance and covers additional expenses for their daughter.
He further argued that the urgency was unnecessary, as the mother had been aware of the dance school since September 2024 but delayed action until January 2025. According to him, the mother had abandoned mediation efforts regarding the school transfer, opting instead for a court application at the last minute.
Judge Mas-uda Pangarker dismissed the application, agreeing with the father that the urgency was self-created. The judge noted the mother’s failure to approach the court earlier, despite having ample time to do so.
“Her failure to approach the court at that stage, alternatively, delaying the matter for months and waiting to approach the court until a few days before the commencement of the 2025 school year, I hold the view that urgency was self-created,” the judge stated.
While dismissing the application, Judge Pangarker emphasized that the child’s best interests must remain a priority. The judge ordered a professional assessment of the relocation and school change to ensure decisions are made in the child’s favor.
The ruling underscores the importance of timely legal action and adherence to established processes when addressing child maintenance disputes.
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