Pucker up

South Africa has a new law that, among other things forbids teens under the age of 16 to kiss or cuddle. Really.

Among the acts defined as "sexual violation" in the bill include "direct or indirect contact... between the mouth of one person... and the mouth of another person".

Where minors are concerned, such acts are illegal even if performed with consent.

But kids aren't taking the restriction lying down. They're putting their lips on the line for liberty.

Thousands of South African teenagers gave each other hugs, pecks on the cheek or light kisses on the lips as part of weekend protests against a new law that prohibits under 16s from kissing or showing affection in public...

Buoyed by Facebook on the Internet and the tech-savvy younger generation, nearly 20,000 people have already signed up to join the protests every Saturday this month at shopping malls in major South African cities.

I hope they bring their chapstick.