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-Signs, Portents, and the Weather-
Boy marries 61-yr-old
2013-03-12
[Bangla Daily Star] 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 yesterday 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."

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."
Posted by:Fred

#8  The whole thing sounds mighty "un-Islamic" to me.
Since it took place in South Africa, it probably was.

It all sounds quite sweet: the boy is doing this for his dead grandfather, after whom he is named, who asked him to have the white wedding Gramps always dreamed of; the "bride" is someone he is fond of; there are no legal or behavioural expectations of the parties beyond the ceremony itself; and, the lad looks forward to marrying a girl of his own age for real when he is grown
Posted by: trailing wife   2013-03-12 16:10  

#7  The whole thing sounds mighty "un-Islamic" to me. Maybe they better be thoroughly investigated.
Posted by: Muggsy Mussolini1226   2013-03-12 14:40  

#6  With that age range it likely has nothing to do with boinking. Without knowing the local culture, it could be a way to influence fortune, could be political, could be something the gifted kids do as an apprentice system. Heck, maybe they just wanted a good reason to throw a party, sure beats trying to gather everyone together to watch the KC Chiefs.
Posted by: swksvolFF   2013-03-12 14:34  

#5  Wait a minute...the article says the bride was already married and a mother of five...so my question is: What did her current husband think about all this? Seems like it would have been a reasonable question for the reporter to ask and include the answer in his report.
Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305   2013-03-12 11:41  

#4  Religious nuts

Religion has nothing to do with it.

Study up on Africa. You might learn something.
Posted by: Pappy   2013-03-12 10:59  

#3  People(?) fill the empty spots in their heads.
...and they vote.
Posted by Skidmark


Mostly voting ANC however. Not familiar with the African National Congress (ANC)? Think - BCC on steroids with an outlawed Republican party. You've arrived!
Posted by: Besoeker   2013-03-12 08:26  

#2  Realtime Anthropology, right here on Rantburg!
Primitive tribes, ancestor worship, praying to ghosts, child sacrifices and exorcism ceremonies.
People(?) fill the empty spots in their heads.
...and they vote.
Posted by: Skidmark   2013-03-12 08:12  

#1  Religious nuts.
Posted by: Redneck Jim   2013-03-12 01:54  

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