8 year old married woman of 61

March 11, 2013

Sanele Masilela, of 8 years old, married Helen Shabangu, of 61, by order of his ancestors.

The youngest of eight years, says: “her ancestors sent her to marry me because her family would suffer a divine punishment if they did not comply with this order.”

His family paid £ 500, about 580 euros for the bride, who is already married and the mother of five children, and invested £ 1,000, more than 1,100 euros in a celebration they held for two months.

Sanele, was dressed as a miniature groom and exchanged rings with his wife before hundreds of guests and sealed their marriage with a kiss.

The community of Tshwane (South Africa) is shocked with this marriage, but Salene’s family says: “it is a ritual and is not legally binding.”

The couple did not sign the marriage license and each returned to his normal life, Salene said: “I go to school, study hard and when I grow up I will marry a woman of my age.”