Africa’s First Traditional Gay Wedding Takes Place In South Africa

A pair of South African men have tied the knot in what is believed to be the country’s first traditional gay wedding…although gay weddings have been legalised in South Africa for 6 years now.
Tshepo Cameron Modisane and Thoba Calvin Sithole tied the knot in traditional Zulu and Tswana attires, in a ceremony which took place in the town of KwaDukuza, KwaZulu-Natal. The newly-married couple, who are both 27 and have been together for three years, made their vows in front of 200 guests.
Professor Velaphi Mkhize, a Zulu traditional culture analyst and writer, said Zulu culture did not recognise homosexuality, therefore, traditionally, Modisane and Sithole’s marriage was void. Prof Mkhize said:

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“In the olden days there were homosexuals, but when a gay child was born the family used to slaughter an animal to plead with the ancestors to intervene and take the evil spirit away from the child.
However, now the constitution recognises homosexuality and gay marriages and the biggest challenge we are facing is how do we continue to call something a taboo if it is recognised by the constitution?”

Mkhize added that the marriage was an insult to Zulu forefathers because marriage was traditionally a way to expand the family. Wives were expected to give birth to children who would carry their families’ names forward, but homosexuality made this impossible.
But the couple have defended their action saying they had the traditional marriage to show people that being homosexual can be part of an African culture. Also, they wanted to show people that they don’t feel ashamed for the choices they’ve made in their lives.