Joyful rounds of "I do!" reverberated throughout Cape Town's famous Robben Island on Wednesday as 20 couples pledged their love to each other, at a place which used to symbolize hatred, fear and oppression.

The Garrifon Church, the oldest building on the world heritage site Robben Island just off the Cape coast, was turned into a matrimonial wonderland during the annual Valentine's Day mass wedding ceremonies.

The mass weddings have been taking place on the Robben Island apartheid prison compound since 2000, with not one of the couples married there having divorced in the seven years since.

This, said Patrick Chauke, Chairperson of Home Affairs Portfolio Committee, bodes well for today's newly weds.
The wedding ceremonies were performed by Home Affairs officials, to much ululation and shouts of delight from friends and family in the church.

People came from as far afield as Algiers and England to take their vows on the island on Valentine's Day.

Fifteen days ago widow, Bilkis Jalal arrived in South Africa from her homeland, India. She had not met her future husband, nor had she visited South Africa before.

She will now have plenty of time to get better acquainted with both, following her muslim wedding ceremony on Sunday and civil ceremony today to Kutbuddin Jalal of Cape Town, in an arranged marriage.

Five days ago, Ellenore Japhtha, was also in the dark about her wedding which took place today.

The 27-year-old's long-term boyfriend, Eddie Muller, gave her the surprise of her life when he proposed to her on Saturday.

"I was shocked, but I'm glad we did it. He promised a laugh a day. I'm looking forward to it," she said.

A drop of perspiration fell from Home Affairs official Sylvia Katfhaza, who performed the marriage ceremonies of five of the couples in record time.

"It may be a mass wedding ceremony, but we like to make everyone feel its something special. It is after all a day of love. A day when these couples commit themselves to each other," said Ms Katfhaza.

Robben Island, best known to many as the place former President Nelson Mandela was in prison for 18 years of his 27 year jail term, has come to symbolize the triumph of democracy and freedom over oppression.

The newly weds were taken on a tour of the Island after their novel weddings. For many, it was their first visit to the rocky outcrop, adding to the high emotions of any wedding day.

This year was to have marked the first time a same sex couple was married on Robben Island, following the promulgation of the Civil Unions Act.

The couple however, declined as they did not want the publicity.

Source: Vivian Warby for BuaNews