NINE year old schoolboy Saneie
Masilela has become the world's
youngest groom after marrying 62-
year-old South African Helen
Shabangu at a formal ceremony
witnessed by her children and
grandchildren.
Dressed in a silvery tuxedo, baby-
faced Saneie clutched the hand of
mother-of-five Helen Shabangu, as
they repeated their vows a year on in
front of 100 guests at their wedding.
At the ceremony, which took place at
Ximhungwe village in Mpumalanga,
South Africa, was witnessed by the
brides' children who are aged
between 28 and 38.
Saneie said he held the ceremony to
make the marriage, which he entered
into last year official but other
villagers described it as sickening.
Among the guests at the ceremony
were Helen's long-term husband
Alfred Shabangu, 66.
Mr Shabangu said: "My kids and I are
happy because we don't have a
problem with her marrying the boy. I
don’t care what other people say.”
Both families claim the wedding is
simply another ritual after Saneie was
told by his dead ancestors to marry
last year and his parents forked out
£500 for the bride and another £1,000
for the ceremony. However the
schoolboy wanted to follow South
African tradition and insisted they
have the second ceremony this week
to make their marriage official.
Saneie, the young groom said he still
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."
Recycling worker Helen, said: “I’m
very happy that the boy chose me
and my family support and
understand that it is part of making
ancestors happy."
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