15 couples tie knot on Robben Island

VALENTINE'S BLISS: Dumisani and Motshidiso Mabunda share a romantic moment. Behind them (between their faces) is delighted mother Lucy Nkojoane. Fifteen couples tied the knot on Robben Island on Valentine's Day. Picture: David Ritchie

VALENTINE'S BLISS: Dumisani and Motshidiso Mabunda share a romantic moment. Behind them (between their faces) is delighted mother Lucy Nkojoane. Fifteen couples tied the knot on Robben Island on Valentine's Day. Picture: David Ritchie

Published Feb 14, 2016

Share

Raphael Wolf

CUPID’s Valentine’s Day arrows swamped Robben Island as 15 love-struck couples tied the knot during a romantic mass wedding on the famous World Heritage Site yesterday.

The annual mass marriages concept has seen the former prison transform into a romantic rendezvous on Valentine’s Day by couples from all over the world, eager to tie the knot in a unique style.

That is according to a Robben Island Museum spokesperson, Thabo Mokgola, who said the Department of Home Affairs and the museum initiated the mass marriage concept in 2000.

Commenting on yesterday’s event, he said: “It was a festive and vibrant atmosphere and everyone was in good spirit, because Robben Island, during apartheid days, used to destroy so many lives of political prisoners.

“We are demonstrating how the island is (nowadays) used as a symbol of love and hope to build a unified nation.”

Mokgola said the event was part of a package in which couples are married by two Home Affairs marriage officers, with the lovebirds paying for their ferry boat trip to and from the island and enjoying a lunch after the wedding ceremony.

As part of the package, and in line with the spirit of love on Valentine’s Day, the newly-weds are entertained by a band and taken on a tour of the island, said Mokgola.

He added that Home Affairs Deputy Minister Fatima Chohan-Khota also attended the event.

Related Topics: