An
eight-year-old schoolboy has married a 61-year-old woman because the
ghost of his dead ancestor told him to. Sanele Masilela tied the knot
with Helen Shabangu, who is already married and a mother-of-five.
The boy, from Tshwane, South Africa, said he had been told by his dead
ancestors to wed and his family, fearing divine retribution, forked out
for a wedding.They paid £500 for the bride and a further £1,000 for the
big day, which was organized in just two months.
Living Together
Settling down for a relaxing night in with his new bride of 61,
eight-year-old Sanele Masilela says married life is child’s play.
The schoolboy stunned the world by wedding Helen Shabangu in Tshwane, South Africa.
He claims his dead grandad asked him to wed the mum-of-five, who
already has a husband, from beyond the grave. Although the union is not
legally binding, Sanele says he does think of himself as married.
He added: “The day was great, exactly what I had imagined. My friends
thought it was really funny I was getting married but I do now feel like
a husband.
Dressed in a bow tie and tiny silver suit, little Sanele, the youngest
of five children, exchanged rings in front of 100 guests and even
puckered up for a kiss.It's already shocked the community but the family
has defended the ceremony, saying it was just a ritual and not legally
binding.
Sanele's 46-year-old mum, Patience Masilela said: 'This is the first
time this has happened in the family.'Sanele is named after his
grandfather, who was never had a white wedding before he died so asked
Sanele to get married. He chose Helen because he loves her. 'By doing
this we made the ancestors happy. If we hadn't done what my son had
asked then something bad would have happened in the family.
'I didn't have a problem with it because I know it's what the ancestors
wanted and it would make them happy.'The widow, who works at a
recycling centre, added: 'I would say that this is not wrong.
'Sanele was fine and he was happy about the ceremony and it was what he wanted. He was happy to get married and very excited.
'
Sanele and his bride did not sign a marriage certificate and do not
have to live together. Both have gone back to their normal lives.
Sanele today said he hoped he would have a proper wedding to a woman his own age when he was older.
He added: 'I told my mother that I wanted to get married because I
really did want to.'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.'
Despite being old enough to be his grandmother, bride Helen, whose
children are aged between 37 and 27, was happy with the arrangement.
Helen, who also works at a recycling centre, said: 'I'm married and
have five kids of my own, but I know that this is what the ancestors
wanted - and now they are happy.
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