More than 800 couples walked down the aisle on Easter Sunday in one of the biggest mass wedding ceremonies in South Africa since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The International Pentecost Holiness Church blesses polygamous unions, which are common in some African communities, and the church says are authorised by the Bible.
Its mass nuptials take place three times a year – at Easter, in December, and also during the celebrations in September of the church's founding in 1962.
Lebogile Mamatela, 38, a government employee who became the second wife to the father of her child on Sunday, told Reuters after the ceremony: "It’s a special day, I am very happy. I really, really appreciate this moment of being part of the Mahluku family. It’s a great feeling."
Her new husband, Roto Mahluku, 40, joined the church in 1993 and married his first wife, Ditopa Mahluku, 16 years ago. They have three children.
Ditopa, 37, said her husband's second marriage was "fulfilling what God has created for us, fulfilling the scripture that says women will be leaning towards one man".
Current wives wore colourful attire to the ceremony at the International Pentecost Holiness Church's Jerusalem congregation, 100 kilometers (62 miles) north of Johannesburg. First-time brides wore traditional white dresses.
The celebrations were a respite from a long-standing row over the leadership of the church, which has a membership of around three million, making it one of the biggest congregations in South Africa.
The succession battle between three brothers began after the death in 2016 of the church’s leader, Glayton Modise.
In 2020 five people were killed in a shooting at another congregation of the church, but a court last year dismissed the case against the 42 accused.
Security was tight at Sunday's ceremony, which was policed by armed guards and metal detectors were used to screen the congregation.
Latest Stories
-
Price agreed for sale of 4 SSNIT hotels fair and sensible – Franklin Cudjoe
26 mins -
Assemblies of God disassociates itself from Apostle James Nartey
38 mins -
Government is not recruiting NPP faithful into security agencies – Interior Minister replies Minority Leader
1 hour -
Fake Ghana Card numbers used in registering 17 persons in Pusiga – EC
1 hour -
UK pursues Ghana High Commission for £5M in unpaid London congestion charges for over 20 years
1 hour -
Fuel price hikes: Use special petroleum levy to cushion consumers – Energy Strategist
2 hours -
I’ll defeat corruption in Ghana when elected – Mahama promises
2 hours -
Beyond the Game: How Heart of Lions are fueling Kpando’s economy
2 hours -
2024 polls: Safeguard our peace; Ghanaians don’t want to become refugees – Duncan-Williams to politicians
2 hours -
Cedi depreciation pressures slowdown on improved foreign exchange liquidity; one dollar equals GH¢15.20
2 hours -
2024 polls: Sheikh Aremeyaw warns youth against being used as agents of disruption
2 hours -
Government misused $65m GARID project fund – Ato Forson
2 hours -
Corrupt appointees during my administration will be held accountable – Mahama
2 hours -
Bond market: Total market turnover rebounds to GH¢762.41m
2 hours -
This woman traveled to Paris over 20 years ago and ended up staying for good
2 hours