Man Finally Marries Four Times - At Once

A South African man has married four women at the same time. Milton Mbhele showed up for his wedding in Weenen, near Ladysmith, in a white limousine - with four brides, reports the Daily Telegraph. The women all wore white gowns, and each received rings and a kiss from the groom at a ceremony attended by hundreds of people. South African law recognises polygamous marriages, which are common among several tribes including the Zulus and Swazis, but simultaneous weddings are rare. Mr Mbhele, 44, a municipal manager in Indaka, said the joint celebration saved money by combining the festivities. He has already been married to Thobile Vilakazi for 12 years and has 11 children. "I want her to be happy," he said of Ms Vilakazi. "I think getting married to her for the second time would make her happy since I will be taking in three other wives so this will relieve her in some way." His "middle wives" - as he described them - are Zanele Langa and Happiness Mdlolo, both 24. The youngest wife, 23-year-old Smangele Cele, said she was looking forward to marrying Mr Mbhele, even though it means she'll have to share him. She said the wives planned to live separately, with their husband rotating between them. "It is because of the way in which he shows his love for me. He loves me in all ways," she said.