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 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.’
Read more: Mail Online
Lord have mercy on us 8yrs old getting maried to 60yrs old mama how will the 8yrs boy satisfy her ? She is insane is that how they marry in south africa? Looking. 4 under age to slorter oh god I thank u 4 my country nigeria.
What a wiered tradition… Mockery of a sort to white wedding.
Dimka: the country has nothing to do with any individual family's cultural beliefs. Ur statement is sensitive!
How will u feel if someone say Nigeria d county is very stupid?
Dis is truly insanity. D bride is even still married nd her husband nd kids r happy abt it.
This is total madness!
If a man of 50yrs marry a lady of even 16yrs pple called it child abuse, what are we going to call a small boy of 8yrs get married to a old woman of more than 60yrs. Suicide?
Happy married life
That is a death warrant 4 boy ooooooo
I agree wit u, d world is cuming 2 an end, but I wnt 2 say sumtin, d 8yrs boy nd 61yrs woman re very stupid including d country wia it happens
The world is truly coming 2 an end