16-Year-Old Boy Marries 15-Year Old Girlfriend in South Africa

Siyacela Dlamuka, the 16-year-old son of a bishop has wedded his 15-year-old girlfriend traditionally on Saturday, March 9, 2019, in Nkandla, KZN, South Africa and they are set to have a church wedding next month on April 13.

His father, Mthandeni Dlamika, 59, a bishop of the Corinthians Apostolic Church in Zion, said he fully supports the underage marriage. He said, "these days, you find teenagers engaging in carnal activities secretly and most of the time, they end up falling pregnant out of wedlock." 

When his son told him he had fallen in love, Siyacela’s father took it upon himself to pay for dowry and other expenses so Siyacela could focus on school. He added; "The only rule I made is that they wait until they’re officially married before engaging in sexual activities." 

That was the rule I made for my daughters, who are all married now.