While the issue of same-sex marriage still rages on in our nation, South Africa took a major step toward cementing its progress with same-sex marriage this weekend, when two young men tied the knot in a rare South African gay wedding in KwaDukuza (Stanger).
According to IOL News, Tshepo Modisane and Thoba Sithole jumped the broom in front of 200 guests at the Stanger Siva Sungam community hall in what is being called the small town’s first gay wedding. Though South Africa’s culture is still dealing with issues of homophobia, the nation legalized same-sex marriage with the 2006 Civil Union Act and has criminalized discrimination against LGBT people. And Sithole and Modisane took full advantage of their right to marry as they tied the knot in a traditional Zulu ceremony, which was recorded in a video. 
Sithole, a Johannesburg-based IT specialist, and Modisane, an audit manager at PwC, both of whom are 27, dated off and on for years before solidifying their relationship and later tying the knot. The couple, who now share the hyphenated name Sithole-Modisane, were welcomed into wedded bliss by their family and friends.
“Thoba is a really nice guy, very fun and outgoing,” said Loyiso Xaba, a family friend.
“They are an inspiration and step in the right direction,” said another guest.
In a recent interview with mambaonline.com, Sithole and Modisane explained that they chose to make their wedding public “to inspire people out there who are still struggling to come to terms with their sexuality. We see no reason to hide in darkness as if there is something to be ashamed about,” said Modisane. “Our marriage is largely symbolic and a sign that black gay men can commit and build a family through a happy and loving marriage.”
The couple says they now want to have children through a surrogate. “Family is important to us and that is the number one reason why we want to have children,” said Sithole. “We also want our children to grow up in an environment where they are loved greatly by both parents who appreciate them.”
We commend Sithole and Modisane on being brave enough to share their love with the world, and, hopefully, their actions will ensure that their children will indeed grow up in a world that is more accepting of the LGBT community. Check out some other famous same-sex weddings below. –nicholas robinson
