Eight-year-old South African boy marries woman aged 61

A South African school boy has married a 61-year-old woman because his dead ancestors ordered him to.

Sanele Masilela, 8, wed Helen Shabangu in a ceremony in Tshwane. The bride is already married and a mother-of-five.

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.

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“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.”

The family insists the wedding is just a ritual and not legally binding. The couple do not live together and both Sanele and his bride have gone back to their normal lives.

Sanele said he hoped he would have a proper wedding to a woman his own age when he was older.

The couple swapped rings and kissed in the ceremony, which took place in front of 100 guests.

Helen said: “We are just playing now, but it is a sign that he will get married one day.”