A children's rights lobby group wants spanking to become a criminal offence, the Sunday Times reported.
The Children's Rights Project, based at the University of the Western Cape, made the proposal last month. It has asked the department of social development to ban corporal punishment in homes.
Other children's groups, including the Children's Institute, Childline SA, and the Centre for Child Law, have supported the proposal.
The department is currently considering whether to amend the Children's Act in order to give children more rights.
Department spokeswoman Lumka Oliphant said the issue would be discussed with interested parties, including children's rights campaigners, religious organisations, and traditional leaders, the weekly reported. - Sapa