More than 800 people took part in a mass wedding at the International Pentecost Holiness Church (IPHC) the
second-biggest church in South Africa
at Rabokala in the North West, South Africa
There about 900 people who tied the knot in the wedding procession, as some of the grooms were marrying more than one wife, some were adding their sixth or seventh wives.
The mass wedding is a traditional ritual in the church, characterised by polygamous weddings, it has not been held for several years due to the outbreak of Covid-19.
During the wedding , wives of the groom also play a critical role in welcoming the bride into the family unit.
Priest Nicodemus Morabe told journalists that “We are having our mass wedding, a ritual in this church. Every time, during this time which people call Easter, for us we use this Sunday to have our weddings. All the weddings that are taking place are blessed via our spiritual leader, his grace, successor MG Sandlana,” said Morabe.
His said the practice of polygamy was not only an African traditional, but has its roots in the Bible.
“With regards to the International Pentecost Holiness Church, it is found on polygamy. Even if you go into scriptures, if you read about spiritual leaders, for example Abraham, he was in a polygamous marriage,” said Morabe.
“As a church, we believe the same God that Abraham was a servant to. We practise the same.
“We say marriage is a gift from God. It was founded by God. All marriages have to be conducted in principles of God, rather than coming up with our own ideas. As a church, we conduct marriages according to God’s teachings, and nothing else,” he said.
Spokesperson of the IPJC Jerusalem, Father Vusi Ndala was also in the mass wedding procession, as he was marrying his second wife, Noko.
“The woman on my right-hand side is my first wife, and on my left is my new wife, the one I am marrying now,” Ndala spoke to broadcaster Newzroom Afrika
