Durban man marries fiancée on the day of her funeral
The phrase "till death do us part" will have a whole new meaning after reading about this man who married his dead fiancée and buried her on the same day.
Listen as KZN shares their views on this posthumous marriage below, or read the details under the podcast.
The act of posthumous marriage, or "marriage in which one of the participating members is deceased" as Wikipedia describes it, has been going on since the 1950's, with the first ever recorded marriage taking place in France.
In South Africa, according to Du Toit's Attorneys and Mediators, all types of marriages, be it Civil Union, Customary Marriage or Civil Marriage, must involve those who are 18 years or older, while valid consent must be given between both parties.
Read: Teenager wakes up on way to his own funeral
One Verulam-based man is turning heads after he married the love of his life - even though she died two weeks before their wedding. Bizarre, right?
IOL has reported that the marriage took place at the Osindisweni township in Verulam. The 51-year-old groom, Jabulani Dlungwane, married his fiancee, Sindisiwe Khumalo, after she died of diabetes.
It is said that he chose to marry her because he wanted to 'honour her wish'. Her coffin was wrapped in a blanket which is used during a traditional Zulu wedding. Dlungwane was dressed in traditional clothing.
Read: How to reignite the fire in your marriage
He told IOL that they had already ear-marked a date, but unfortunately, she died before they got a chance to tie the knot. He wanted to honour her wish, despite her succumbing to her illness.
This isn't the first time we've heard of a posthumous marriage taking place in South Africa. Listverse reported on a posthumous marriage which happened in 2004. A man shot his pregnant fiancee and then turned the gun on himself. The couple's family wanted to remember them in their happier times, hence the marriage was arranged, which took place at their funeral.
Jabulani has since faced a wave criticism, with some saying he’s defied tradition by having people ululate and be joyous at a funeral.
Personally, I admire him for honouring her wish because wouldn't we expect that from our partners - to be true to us, and to honour us - even in death? It takes a lot to celebrate love, despite mourning the death of your loved one. Hats off to you, Jabulani.
Do you think this act of posthumous marriage was romantic or unsettling? What are your views?