Nine-year-old boy and his 62-year-old wife renew their wedding vows

A nine-year-old boy from Africa has become one of the world’s youngest grooms for the second time after he married his 62-year-old wife once again.

15:20 21 July 2014

Nine-year-old Saneie Masilela from South Africa and 62-year-old Helen Shabangu have renewed their wedding vows making the former one of the world’s youngest grooms for the second time.

Looking a little taller and recycling last year’s silver tuxedo, the groom repeated his vow as he clutched the hand of his bride.

The ceremony was held in Ximhungwe in Mpumalanga, South Africa and was attended by roughly 100 guests including the bride’s first husband and five children who gave their blessing.

Last year, the boy claimed that he was told by his dead ancestors to marry the woman. Somewhat unconventionally, the boy's family surprisingly supported him and hurriedly forked out £1,000 for the big day.

Sanele's 47-year-old mum, Patience Masilela said: 'Sanele was fine and he was happy about the ceremony last year and it's what he wanted - he was not shy.'

'He was just happy to get married, very excited and was not embarrassed about it. So much so he wanted to do it again.

'After the wedding last year people keep asking them questions like will they live together, sleep together, have babies but I keep telling them that after the wedding everything went back to normal nothing changed.

'Sanele moved to Venda not long after the wedding because he wanted to learn a new language, but they are very close.'

The marriage is not legally binding, but is considered a ritual among the community.

Despite the union, the groom himself has admitted that he's got an eye out for someone closer to his own age: '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.

'I chose Helen because I love her and although we don't live together all the time we meet at the dumping site where my mother works regularly.'