8 Year Old Boy Marries 61 Year Old Woman

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 It was an usual wedding over the weekend in Zimbabwe when an 8 year old boy tied the knot with a 61 year old woman

The wedding between Sanele Masilela and Helen Shabangu was witnessed by both families including the bride’s husband, her five children and a guest of 100 people.

The boy’s aunt, Patience Masilela explained why the wedding took place.

“The boy was named after his late grandfather who never had a white wedding, so the ancestors told the boy to get married and he chose Helen to be his bride.

The family took his desire to get married very seriously. They paid for the bride in March last year and spent a lot on the wedding because they believed it was what the ancestors wanted.”

According to the bride, “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.”

The young groom said: “I told my mother that I wanted to get married because I really did want to. I chose her because I love her and I’m happy that I married her – but I will go to school and study hard. When I’m older I will marry a lady of my own age.”

The bride’s long-time husband, Alfred Shabangu who is 65 years said that he never had a problem with her marrying the boy because he too knew that it was what the ancestors wanted. My kids and I are happy. We don’t have any problems with it,” he said.

However, some community members said they were shocked.