Robben Island weddings celebrate overcoming odds
IT’S A 21st century love story in every way imaginable.
Sibusiso Makhubu, 25, befriended his now wife, Marchè, on Facebook in 2013 and the two got to know each other in cyberspace for more than a year.
But he lived in Johannesburg and she in Cape Town, and the prospect of a physical relationship was slim.
In a twist of fate, Marchè found a job in Joburg, a year later at the same place Sibusiso works.
The two then started dating and a week later Sibusiso was first to declare his love for Marchè.
The rest brought them to Robben Island where they were one of 20 couples to tie the knot yesterday.
A guest of honour at the ceremony was the Makhubus’ six-weekold baby boy.
“We went to register our beautiful son at Home Affairs about a month ago and they asked us if we knew about this ceremony.
“We flew from Johannesburg to say our ‘I do’s’ here,” Marchè said.
For the last 16 years, the mass wedding ceremony hosted by the Robben Island Museum and the Department of Home Affairs has hitched more than 200 couples.
Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba said participating couples were chosen based on their diversity and interesting romantic stories.
“We congratulate and wish the couples well on this new journey.
“Our authorised marriage officers will be dispatched to the island on the day to make this a happy experience for the couples and to also ensure that the marriages are officiated in accordance to our mandatory requirements.”
Sibusiso said that he and his wife are an interracial couple and to be allowed to marry on Robben Island was significant.
“This place (Robben Island) represents overcoming. The people that were incarcerated here overcame a lot and they conquered.
“And like many relationships, including ours, we overcame a lot and it’s significant that we can celebrate our wedding on this grounds.” After the ceremony couples took wedding photos on the beach and were offered a tour of the island.