SA man's mass wedding 'saved money' - BBC

South African businessman Milton Mbele broke all the traditional rules of a polygamous wedding when he recently married four women on the same day.
The four brides dressed in flowing white gowns walked down the aisle together, before saying "We do" to the 44-year-old groom. Mr Mbele says he didn't marry them purely for the spectacle but also because it made financial sense.

"I don't know how much four different weddings would have cost me but I know doing it all at once saved money," he explains. "For example I only needed one tent, I needed to hire one caterer and one photographer for the entire ceremony."

"I began putting money aside for the event towards the end of 2007 and started collecting quotes for things like the tent and catering costs early last year." He says he loves all his wives - Thobile Vilakazi, Zanele Langa, Baqinisile Mdlolo and Smangele Cele - equally and also treats them that way. Mr Mbele himself wears four rings on his finger - he says this is a sign of his commitment to all his wives.

The wives say they were shocked by the news that Mr Mbele wanted to marry them at once but add that they agreed because they love him. Some two weeks after their much publicised two-day ceremony, Mr Mbele says he is overwhelmed by all the attention his wedding has attracted. I met Mr Mbele and Smangele, at 23 the youngest Mrs Mbele, at a hotel in Durban In a polygamous marriage only the first wife is legally recognised, which could pose some difficulties in dividing the husband's estate when he dies.

South Africa has the highest number of HIV-positive people in the world - some five million. Since having more than one sexual partner increases the chances of contracting the virus, it is understandable that Smangele's family had reservations about her entering into a polygamous marriage.
"My family was not pleased at first but they came around eventually," she says.
They are taking the necessary precautions, which include regular HIV tests.
"I had my last test a few months ago when I was pregnant... We are all disciplined about staying healthy," she says.