Sanele Masilela and Helen Shabangu married for the first time in 2013 and this week the two from Tshwane, South Africa, renewed their vows in front of around 100 of their friends and family.
Aged just 8, Sanele was the world’s youngest groom, and married the bride 53 years his senior at his home, claiming that the order to wed came from their dead ancestors.
It is tradition that the ceremony is then repeated at the bride’s home in order to make their marriage ‘official’ and so the pair renewed their vows at Helen’s home in Ximhungwe.
In an interview with Buzzfeed, Saneie’s mother Patience explained that the couple’s marriage is only symbolical and the pair don’t live together or engage in any sexual relations.
“I know it’s what the ancestors wanted,” she said.
“If we hadn’t done what my son had asked, then something bad would have happened in the family.”
Saneie added: “I’m happy that I married Helen, but I will go to school and study hard. When I’m older, I will marry a lady my own age.’’
In this video from Barcroft Media, friends and relatives watch the schoolboy, who can be seen donning a grey suit, kiss his older bride before enjoying food and dancing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WE5r3rF16Y4
Video via YouTube/Barcroft TV
