The Theridiidae is a large cosmopolitan family of spiders represented by 124 genera and more than 2517 species. Presently 20 genera represent by 64 species are known from South Africa but the taxonomy of theridiid spiders in South Africa is still chaotic and numerous genera and species are still not named. Only a few genera have been revised and thorough revisions are needed to clarify the situation. Of the presently known South African species 50% are South African endemics and 20% are cosmopolitan species and 67% species are listed as Least Concern and 31% is Data Deficient. No species is presently listed as of Special Concern. There are large number of specimens in collections that are not named.