Baby faced Sanele Masilela is one of the world’s youngest grooms after he wed Helen Shabangu for the second time.
The ceremony was held a year after the pair first said their vows and they tied the knot in front of around 100 guests.
The wide-eyed audience looked on as Mrs Shabangu shared a kiss and a piece of cake with the groom in the South African village of Ximhungwe.
The bride is already married to her long-term husband Albert, 67.
Little Saneie said: “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.
“I chose Helen because I love her and although we don’t live together all the time we meet at the dumping site where my mother works regularly.”
The boy originally married his wife after he claimed he was told by his dead ancestors to wed.
But his family shockingly let their youngest son marry the 62-year-old and gave a £500 gift to the bride and spent a further £1,000 for the big day.
And the child would not rest until South African traditions were honoured and a second ceremony took place to make the marriage official.
The ceremony was branded by villagers as “sickening” but the boy’s family defended the union saying it was just a ritual and not legally binding.
The ceremony was held a year after the pair first said their vows [BARCROFT]
His 47-year-old mum Patience Masilela said:
“Sanele was fine and he was happy about the ceremony last year and it what he wanted – he was not shy.
“He was just happy to get married, very excited and was not embarrassed about it. So much so he wanted to do it again.
“After the wedding last year people keep asking them question like will they live together, sleep together, have babies but I keep telling them that after the wedding everything went back to normal nothing changed.
“Sanele moved to Venda not long after the wedding because he wanted to learn a new language, but they are very close. Our families are very close.
“It was nice celebrate with a wedding once more, it was after all a calling from the ancestors.
“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.”
Mrs Shabangu shared a kiss and a piece of cake with the young groom [BARCROFT]
The bride, who is old enough to be the child’s grandmother, has children aged between 28 and 38. She yesterday said she was happy with the arrangement.
She said:
“I’m very happy that the boy chose me and my family support and understand that it is part of making ancestors happy.
“One day Sanele would grow normally and have family of his own and get married one day, all this ceremony is for making ancestors happy.
“We are playing.”
The couple did not sign a marriage certificate and do not have to live together. Both have gone back to their regular lives.
Mrs Shabangu’s husband of 30 years attended both wedding ceremonies along with the couples five children.
He said:
“My kids and I are happy because we don’t have a problem with her marrying the boy – and I don’t care what other people say.”
