A SCHOOLBOY aged eight ties the knot — with a woman aged 61

Happy couple ... Helen and Sanele pose for picture

Little Sanele Masilela got hitched in front of 100 guests to mum-of-five Helen Shabangu, who 

already has a husband. The UK Sun reports.

The couple swapped rings and kissed in the ceremony in Tshwane, South Africa, which 

Sanele claimed his dead ancestors ordered him to arrange.

But he and his bride did not sign a marriage certificate and do not live together.

His family, who forked out £1,500 on the wedding, insisted it was only a ritual and was not 

legally binding.

Sanele said: “I told my mother I wanted to get married as I really did want to.

“I’m happy that I married Helen. When I’m older I will marry a lady my own age.”

The boy’s 46-year-old mum Patience said: “Sanele’s grandfather asked him to get married 

before he died. He chose Helen because he loves her.

“By doing this we made the ancestors happy. If we hadn’t, something bad would have 

happened in the family.”

Helen said: “It is what the ancestors wanted.”

Continue to see more photos after the cut.........

Ringer ... boy puts band on finger of wife

Bride and gloom ... newlyweds Helen Shabangu and Sanele Masilela

Kiss chaste ... Helen Shabangu and her eight-year-old 'husband'