How to Publish a Section 29 Notice in South Africa

Knowing how to publish a Section 29 notice is essential for any executor or attorney handling a deceased estate in South Africa. The notice formally invites creditors and debtors to come forward within the period prescribed by the Master. Without proper publication, the executor cannot proceed to the liquidation and distribution account.

What Is a Section 29 Notice

Section 29 of the Administration of Estates Act 66 of 1965 requires the executor of a deceased estate to publish a notice calling on all persons with claims against, or debts owed to, the estate to lodge or pay them within the period prescribed in the notice. The notice protects the executor against late claims and creates a public record of the estate.

The notice is published on Form J193, the prescribed format issued by the Master of the High Court.

When a Section 29 Notice Is Required

A Section 29 notice is required for deceased estates that fall under the full estate administration process. Smaller estates that are dealt with under Section 18(3) of the Act, through a Master’s representative, do not follow the same Section 29 publication route. Executors should confirm the requirements against the Letters of Executorship and the Master’s correspondence.

The executor must publish the notice as soon as practicable after receiving the Letters of Executorship from the Master.

Where to Publish a Section 29 Notice

The Administration of Estates Act requires publication in two places:

• The Government Gazette, the official record of public notices in South Africa.
• One newspaper that circulates in the district where the deceased was ordinarily resident at the time of death.

Both publications must run within the notice period set by the Master.

The Government Gazette Publication Process

The Government Printer handles all gazette publications. Notices must reach the Government Printer by the weekly deadline to appear in the following Friday’s gazette. Late submissions roll over to the next week’s gazette, which can delay a time-sensitive estate by a week or more.

The current submission deadlines and pricing are published by the Government Printer.

The Newspaper Publication Requirement

The local newspaper requirement exists so that creditors who do not monitor the Government Gazette can still see the notice. The newspaper must circulate in the district of the deceased’s last residence.

The Master accepts both print newspapers and approved online newspapers that meet the circulation requirement. Choosing a publication that indexes notices on Google improves the chance that creditors actually see the notice.

Step-by-Step: How to Publish a Section 29 Notice

The publication process follows a defined sequence:

• Complete Form J193 with the deceased’s full names, ID number, date of death, last known address, and the executor’s contact details.
• Confirm the district of last residence so the correct newspaper is selected.
• Submit the notice to a publication service that handles both the Government Gazette and the newspaper booking.
• Pay the publication fee, which covers both the gazette and the newspaper.
• Receive proof of publication, including the gazette page reference and the newspaper page or clipping.
• Lodge the proof of publication with the Master of the High Court when filing the liquidation and distribution account.

For executors who prefer a single point of contact, you can request a quote for a Section 29 notice via LegalNotice.co.za and have both the gazette and newspaper publication handled in one process.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common errors that delay or invalidate a Section 29 notice include:

• Using an outdated version of Form J193.
• Incorrect or missing reference number from the Master’s office.
• Publishing in a newspaper that does not circulate in the correct district.
• Failing to retain proof of publication for the Master.
• Missing the Government Printer’s submission deadline.

Each of these errors can delay the finalisation of the estate by weeks or months.

How Long the Section 29 Notice Period Runs

The notice runs for the period prescribed by the Master, as stated on Form J193. The executor cannot proceed to file the liquidation and distribution account until that period has expired and any claims received have been considered.

Related Guides for Executors

For more on the prescribed estate form, see our guide on the Form J193 notice example and how to submit it. Executors working on the next stage of the estate process should read our Section 35 estate notice publication guide.

Final Note on How to Publish a Section 29 Notice

Section 29 publication is a non-negotiable step in winding up a deceased estate under the full administration process. Use the correct prescribed form, publish in both the Government Gazette and the correct local newspaper, and keep proof of both for the Master’s office.