In a rare wedding that has attracted a lot of interest, a man recently married two women at the same time. It happened in a remote area under the Makhado Municipality on Boxing Day 2010.

Mr Mathew Muhali (38), from Mavhulani-Tshimbupfe in Vuwani, said he loved his two wives equally. In the presence of family, friends, bishops and community members, Muhali put the wedding rings on the fingers of his first wife, Prudence Rambau (33), and his second wife, Tshifhiwa Muavha (25).

The church hall of Zhalinga Apostolic Zion Church at Mavhulani outside Vuwani was packed by hundreds of people, who witnessed the glittering ceremony. The first wife, Prudence, was married 17 years ago, and Tshifhiwa eight years ago. Both wives are blessed with two children.

They are staying separate from each other, but in the same village.

Prudence also said that she didn’t have a problem sharing her husband with Tshifhiwa, because she loved her and respected her. “If I need something, she gives it to me without hesitation. I am also taking care of her children if she is not available. I am proud to be married to Mathew,” she said.

Tshifhiwa said that she loved Prudence for allowing her to marry Mathew without a fight. She also indicated that she would continue to respect Prudence as her elder sister-in-law. “We love each other, because our husband is sharing anything equal, without discriminating. I don’t regret marrying Mathew, and this wedding is improving our lives,” Tshifhiwa said.