“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 organised in just two months.
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.’It is a ritual. We are just playing now, but it
is a sign that he will get married one day.’Her husband of 30 years,
Alfred, 65, said: ‘My kids and I are happy. ‘We don’t have problems with
it but some of the community members were shocked.’
