Polygamy and pageantry on display at a mass wedding in South Africa

6 hours ago Share Save Khanyisile Ngcobo BBC News, Zuurbekom Share Save

Nhlanhla Phillips

The bride, Evelyn Sekgalakane, sparkled in white as she walked down the aisle hand-in-hand with Shirley Molala, who was about to become her "sister wife" at a mass wedding celebration at a South African church that encourages polygamy. Behind them came the groom Lesiba Molala, who was marrying another wife at the elaborate ceremony at the International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC) south-west of Johannesburg. The polygamous bridal party was among 55 marriages that took place there on Easter Sunday - a loud, long and joyous occasion. Only seven of the unions were welcoming an extra wife to the family - but all were open to doing so in the future. "He is a God [who approves] of polygamy," rang out repeatedly across the packed auditorium. Shirley, who is Mr Molala's second wife and has been married to him for 25 years, told me ahead of the big day: "I love polygamy because it is rooted in Biblical teaching" - a reference to passages in the Old Testament of the Bible.

Nhlanhla Phillips Evelyn (R) told the BBC that over the last few months Shirley (L) had become her confidante as she prepared to marry Lesiba Molala - seen behind them

She was handpicked by his first wife, who has since died, while a third wife had also joined the family - leaving in the wake of a leadership row that split the congregation. The 48-year-old explained that as the process of adding another spouse had started spiritually, it made it easier to regard the incoming wife as a sister and friend. "We [first three wives] got along to a point where we'd wear matching clothes. So I learnt this from the Molala family and that's why I was able to do the same for Evelyn." Before the official start of the marriage ceremonies - which each involved an exchange of rings but no spoken vows - the jubilant congregation gathered outside the auditorium at around noon in a riot of colour and noise. Loudspeakers blaring out church songs competed with the cheers of thousands of well-wishers - some of whom were dressed in the church's blue-and-white uniforms, while others sported their Sunday best. Over the next five hours bridal parties arrived to great fanfare and tried to outdo one another: one large contingent of bridesmaids was dressed in different shades of electric lime green, another featured a Gucci-clad groomsman. Beforehand church officials had checked the outfits at the gate to make sure everyone in attendance was suitably dressed - no skimpy outfits, bare arms or trousers allowed for women, who also had to cover their heads, with jackets prescribed for men. The church has a strict moral code - the sexes sit separately inside the auditorium during ordinary services and dating is not allowed. "I only learned about polygamy when I joined the church and was taught that simply dating a woman was not allowed. So because I realised that one woman would not be enough for me, I felt that rather than cheat, let me get another wife," Lesiba Molala, 67, told the BBC. These mass weddings take place three times a year at the church's grand headquarters in the small rural town of Zuurbekom - at Easter, in September and December. After each wedding party's raucous arrival was over, the group walked a red carpet to take photos. Then it was time for the church's leader, Leonard Frederick G Modise, to arrive - and his entrance almost stole the show. Referred to as "the comforter", he was ushered in - along with his family - by a marching band, horse parade and a series of luxury vehicles, among them a midnight sapphire Rolls Royce.

Nhlanhla Phillips Nhlanhla Phillips A convoy that included two Rolls Royces heralded the arrival of the church leader Leonard Frederick G Modise A big band marched into the auditorium before the bridal parties came down the aisle

As the sun began to set, it was time for the official programme to begin - with each entourage entering the auditorium to make their way slowly down the white-carpeted aisle. I caught up with the Molala trio before their turn. Evelyn was excited and all smiles about her dress: "I told you, you would not recognise me!" The service, which went on until 22:00, ended with a blessing from Mr Modise for the new couples and their other spouses - with the festivities going on long into the night. While such pageantry is often associated with weddings here - albeit not on such a grand scale – multiple marriage ceremonies are unusual, even in a country as diverse and multicultural as South Africa. So too is the inclusion of polygamous unions. While polygyny - the marriage of a man to several women - is allowed in South Africa, such relationships are usually registered as customary marriages and are not celebrated in church. However, the IPHC is one of what is known as an African independent church, which is allowed to officiate them - as long as the marriages are also registered with the country's home affairs department. According to the 2022 census, more than 85% of South Africans identified as Christian, followed by 8%, who said they practised traditional African beliefs. Several churches with large congregations mix both belief systems - like the IPHC - though mainstream Protestant and Catholic churches remain the biggest denominations. For the IPHC, polygamy has been taught and encouraged and has "evolved with the church" from its inception in Soweto in 1962 to a congregation today of 3.1 million across southern Africa, senior church official Mpho Makwana told the BBC. Mr Molala married his first wife in 1991, six years after joining the church. She was also a member - an important factor for those looking to take a spouse. The church explicitly forbids marriages to outsiders. Nine years later, Mr Molala and his wife sat down to discuss the expansion of the family. After a church-wide search, the couple settled on Shirley who was then 23. "I felt important [because I was] noticed among the many women in the church," she said. Evelyn too was selected after a church-initiated process that began in February. She admitted it took a while for her to warm to the idea of joining a polygamous union, though Shirley's receptive attitude made it easier for her. The 44-year-old had grown up in the church but later left, going on to have three children, before returning to the fold a few years ago. With his marriage to Evelyn, Mr Molala has informally adopted her children, bringing the total number of his offspring to 13. Each of his families live in separate houses - although Evelyn will join him at his home for the early stages of the marriage.

Nhlanhla Phillips Of the 55 marriages that took place on Easter Sunday at the IPHC, seven were polygamous

Polygamy, traditionally practised in some South African cultures, does divide people in the country. In recent years several reality shows have given an insight into life in plural families - and sparked debate about whether they are still relevant. Prof Musa Xulu, a religious expert with South Africa's Cultural, Religious and Linguistics Rights Communities Rights Commission, said it was common to come across families in such unions who had been devastated in the initial stages of the HIV/Aids pandemic, which has ravaged South Africa. The situation had stabilised, though it was still "a big problem", he told the BBC. Mr Makwana said the IPHC had addressed this head on - putting in place measures about a decade ago to better protect couples and polygamous unions from HIV/Aids after one family's experience, which had been an "eye-opener" for the church's leadership. Those intending to get married must first get tested for HIV. "You can't proceed without going through that process… so there are no surprises ahead," he said. The couple must tell each other their results, decide whether to continue and then the church keeps a record on file. This "100% transparency" also reduced the number of divorces that had often resulted when deception came to light, he said. Prof Xulu said churches like the IPHC, while having an "eclectic approach to Christianity" that was "half-Christian, half-African", did have doctrinal justifications for their traditions as well as "internal dispute-resolution mechanisms". "They will assist families who are undergoing distress," he said. The IPHC is heavily involved in the vetting process once a proposal has been accepted. It takes several months and is marked by three pre-nuptial ceremonies. During this time, couples were "taken through a spiritual process of ensuring they know what they are committing to", Mr Makwana said. Most couples are relative strangers before the formal proposal is made - as was the case for Freddy Letsoalo, 35, and 31-year-old Rendani Maemu. They also tied the knot in Zuurbekom over Easter - both marrying for the first time. Mr Letsoalo said he first spotted his bride-to-be at a friend's wedding nearly a decade ago - also celebrated at one of the mass marriage ceremonies. But they "didn't talk or do anything else" after their initial meeting, he told the BBC. "It was love at first sight but remember, we know… the teachings of our church."

Nhlanhla Phillips Rendani Maemu told the BBC that as she was raised in the church, she always knew she might be a "first or second wife"

While the two would later become Facebook friends, their interactions were restricted to birthday wishes - that was until December 2024 when Mr Letsoalo set the wheels in motion, alerting first his family and then the church's leadership of his intentions. "I wasn't aware that he was interested in me. When I became aware… I was excited. I've always dreamt of my wedding day," a blushing Ms Maemu, who was raised in the church, told me before the nuptials. Her dream came true and she did look resplendent before going down the aisle along with nine bridesmaids in a crystal-encrusted gown, tiara and a bridal train several metres long. While the couple are currently focused on their new life together, both are willing to embrace polygamy should the right opportunity present itself in the future. "I know there's a chance that my husband will want to enter into a polygamous marriage," said the new Mrs Letsoalo. "I believe in polygamy." A view that may be controversial for many South Africans.

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Cyclist completes 'dream' ride across the world

58 minutes ago Share Save Matt Lloyd & Eben Leonard BBC News Share Save

Nathan Hurley Nathan Hurley has completed his cycle from south Wales to New South Wales

TV viewers may be glued to the new series of Race Across the World - but one adventurous cyclist has just completed his own remarkable ride across the globe. Nathan Hurley of Blackwood in Caerphilly county set off on his bicycle from Cardiff on 1 March - St David's Day - 2024. More than 14 months, 26 countries and 16,250 miles (26,000km) later, he has arrived in Sydney. The "exhausting" journey from south Wales to New South Wales is a "dream come true" for Nathan and has so far raised £4,000 for the Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) Trust.

The self-confessed "urban dweller" admitted setting off with a tent, stove and a blow-up pillow was a daunting prospect. Nor was he a particularly good or keen cyclist having almost fallen off his just 50m (164ft) into the ride leaving his nervous parents looking on with their heads in their hands. "One of the challenging things is being on your own," he said from Sydney. "I've been racking up 60 to 80 miles and sometimes up to 10 hours on the saddle each day but it's taken a lot mentally as well as physically. "I'm not an outdoorsman and out of all of my friends I'm the guy who doesn't do adventure well. I always forget something. "I like my flat whites and eggs benedict so it's been a real struggle when I've been out there camping and cooking."

Nathan Hurley Nathan Hurley Nathan began his epic journey crossing Europe Then onto the ancient Silk Road

The 35-year-old travelled through France, across the Alps and onto the ancient Silk Road from northern Italy to Turkey before crossing the Caucuses where he hit his first diplomatic hurdle. To avoid conflict and visa restrictions he took a short flight from Armenia to Kazakhstan where he continued to climb the Pamir mountain ranges to China, not only overcoming the challenges of altitude but suspicious local police as he crossed the Taklamakan and Gobi deserts. "I didn't mind the police following me, they made me feel like a VIP but they weren't very inconspicuous, they were the only car following 200m behind me at 12mph," he said. From there Nathan rode south through South-East Asia to Jakarta, Indonesia and then flew to Australia where he embarked on a 2,500-mile (4,000km) journey from Perth to Sydney. "Australia is famously wider than the moon and for weeks it really felt like that in the heat," he said. "It's home to wonderful people but it doesn't help that I'm terrified of snakes." While on the road Nathan has been invited to two weddings and shared countless meals with locals curious about the cycling Welshman. "Spending months speaking to strangers through a translation app can be exhausting [but] you wouldn't believe how many remote villagers know who Gareth Bale is."

Nathan Hurley Nathan was due to finish in Sydney but has decided to continue his adventure

Paramilitaries strike Port Sudan for first time, army says

30 minutes ago Share Save Jessica Rawnsley BBC News Share Save

Reuters Hundreds of thousands of displaced civilians have fled to Port Sudan since the two-year civil war began

A drone attack launched by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) struck a military airport in the city of Port Sudan on Sunday, according to the Sudanese army. It marks the first time RSF attacks have reached the city - the de-facto capital of Sudan's military-led government - since the conflict between the warring factions erupted two years ago. Sudanese army spokesperson Nabil Abdullah said the RSF had launched several "suicide drones" at the eastern Red Sea port city, targeting the Osman Digna Air Base, "a goods warehouse and some civilian facilities". He said no injuries had been reported but the attack had caused "limited damage". The RSF has not commented on the incident.

Sudan plunged into conflict in April 2023 when a vicious power struggle broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and RSF, a powerful paramilitary group, ahead of a planned transition to civilian rule. At least 150,000 people are estimated to have died in the ensuing civil war, with some 12 million forced to flee their homes. The United Nations has described the situation in Sudan as the world's largest and most devastating humanitarian crisis, with over 30 million people in need of aid and millions facing acute food shortages and famine. Prior to the attacks on Sunday, Port Sudan had avoided bombardment and was regarded as one of the safest places in the war-ravaged nation. After the SAF lost control of the capital Khartoum early in the war, Port Sudan became the de facto headquarters for the military-led government helmed by General Abdel Fattah-al Burhan. UN agencies moved their offices and staff to the coastal city and hundreds of thousands of displaced civilians have fled there during the war. "We were on the way to the plane when we were quickly evacuated and taken out of the terminal," a traveller told AFP news agency on Sunday following the strikes. Video footage on social media, which the BBC has not independently verified, appears to show an explosion and huge plumes of black smoke billowing into the sky. The airport has been closed and all flights suspended, a government source told AFP news agency.

Jewels linked to Buddha remains go to auction, sparking ethical debate

7 hours ago Share Save Soutik Biswas • @soutikBBC India correspondent Share Save

Courtesy: Sotheby's The jewels comprise nearly 1,800 pearls, rubies, sapphires, and patterned gold sheets

On Wednesday, a cache of dazzling jewels linked to the Buddha's mortal remains, which have been hailed as one of the most astonishing archaeological finds of the modern era, will go under the hammer at Sotheby's in Hong Kong. For over a century these relics, unearthed from a dusty mound in northern India in 1898, have sat largely unseen, cradled by a private British collection. Now, as the gems prepare to leave the custody of their keepers, they are stirring not just collectors' appetites but also some unease. They come from a glittering hoard of nearly 1,800 pearls, rubies, topaz, sapphires, and patterned gold sheets, first glimpsed deep inside a brick chamber in present-day Uttar Pradesh in India, near the Buddha's birthplace. Their discovery – alongside bone fragments identified by an inscribed urn as belonging to the Buddha himself – reverberated through the world of archaeology. Nicolas Chow, chairman of Sotheby's Asia and worldwide head of Asian Art, believes this is "among the most extraordinary archaeological discoveries of all time". Yet as these relics now face the glare of the auction room, experts tell the BBC that a question hangs heavy: can the sale of treasures so intimately woven into India's sacred past be considered ethical?

Courtesy Peppé family William Claxton Peppé, an English estate manager, excavated the stupa and found the jewels

In 1898, William Claxton Peppé, an English estate manager, excavated a stupa at Piprahwa, just south of Lumbini, where the Buddha is believed to have been born. He uncovered relics inscribed and consecrated nearly 2,000 years ago. Historians agree these relics, intact until then, are the heritage of both the Buddha's Sakya clan descendants and Buddhists worldwide. The bone relics have since been distributed to countries such as Thailand, Sri Lanka and Myanmar, where they continue to be venerated. "Are the relics of the Buddha a commodity that can be treated like a work of art to be sold on the market?" wonders Naman Ahuja, a Delhi-based art historian. "And since they aren't, how is the seller ethically authorised to auction them? "Since the seller is termed the 'custodian', I would like to ask – custodian on whose behalf? Does custodianship permit them now to sell these relics?" Chris Peppé, great-grandson of William, told the BBC the family looked into donating the relics, but all options presented problems and an auction seemed the "fairest and most transparent way to transfer these relics to Buddhists".

Julian King, Sotheby's international specialist and head of sale, Himalayan Art, New York told the BBC the auction house had made a thorough review of the jewels. "As is the case with any important items and collectibles that are offered for sale at Sotheby's, we conducted requisite due diligence, including in relation to authenticity and provenance, legality and other considerations in line with our policies and industry standards for artworks and treasures," King said. Ashley Thompson, of Soas University of London, and curator Conan Cheong, both experts in Southeast Asian art, have more questions. In a joint statement they told the BBC: "Other ethical questions raised by the sale are: should human remains be traded? And who gets to decide what are human remains or not? For many Buddhist practitioners around the world, the gems on sale are part and parcel of the bones and ash." The sale of the relics has also sparked concern among Buddhist leaders. "The Buddha teaches us not to take other people's possessions without permission," Amal Abeyawardene of London-based British MahaBodhi Society, told the BBC. "Historical records indicate that the Sakyamuni clan were granted custody of these relics, as the Buddha emanated from their community. Their wish was for these relics to be preserved alongside adornments, such as these gems, so that they may be venerated in perpetuity by the Buddha's followers."

Icon Films The jewels were unearthed from this stupa in Piprahwa, northern India in 1898

Chris Peppé has written that the jewels passed from his great-uncle to his cousin, and in 2013 came to him and two other cousins. That's when he began researching their discovery by his great-grandfather. The Los Angeles-based television director and film editor wrote he had found 1898 newspaper reports - from Reuters to the New York Tribune - announcing the find of Buddha's remains. "The colonisation of India by the British had been a source of some cultural shame for me [and continues to be] but, amidst the treasure hunters who hauled their finds back to England, there had also been people focused on the pursuit of knowledge," Chris Peppé writes. He noted his research revealed a lot about his ancestors who he had dismissed as "prejudiced Victorians from a bygone era". "I learned that Willie Peppé's first wife chose to travel around India for her honeymoon and loved the country and its culture. Sadly, she died from an unspecified illness. I learned that my grandmother was outraged at the land laws that applied to Indian women. "And I learned that the excavation of the stupa was an attempt by Willie Peppé to provide work for his tenant farmers who had fallen victim to the famine of 1897."

courtesy: Sotheby's The jewels are considered among the most extraordinary archaeological finds of all time

He writes his great-grandfather's "technical diagrams of ramps and pulleys suggest that he was also a trained engineer who couldn't resist a project". William Peppé handed the gems, relics and reliquaries to the colonial Indian government: the bone relics went to the Buddhist King of Siam (Rama V). Five relic urns, a stone chest and most other relics were sent to the Indian Museum in Kolkata - then the Imperial Museum of Calcutta. Only a small "portion of duplicates", which he was allowed to keep, remained in the Peppé family, he notes. (Sotheby's notes say Peppé was allowed to keep approximately one-fifth of the discovery.) Sources told the BBC the auction house considers the "duplicates" to be original items considered surplus to those donated, which the "Indian government permitted Peppé to retain". Over the past six years years, the gems have featured in major exhibitions, including one at The Met in 2023. The Peppé family has also launched a website to "share our research".

Peppé family Four containers made of steatite (a type of stone) and one made of rock crystal were found inside a sandstone box at the Piprahwa stupa