25 couples tie knot on Island
14/02/2008 21:40  - (SA)  

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Anti-V-day cards the rage in US 24 couples wed on Robben Island Robben Isand the perfect venue? History of Valentine's Day

Cape Town - The former penal colony where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for 17 years was the venue on Thursday for a mass Valentine's Day wedding ceremony as 25 couples tied the knot.

According to organisers of the annual ceremony, none of the 150 couples who have been married in the island's chapel since 2000 have divorced and a number of the newly-weds said they hoped to be inspired by their former president.

"Our father, Nelson Mandela, survived all those years of hardship and challenges. We have come here in the hope that we can also survive our marriage challenges and be together till death us do part," said Nandipha Getze after she married her long-time love, Vuyani Penda.

The weddings took place in the island's chapel, which was off limits to apartheid-era prisoners such as former president Nelson Mandela and Govan Mbeki, father of the present President Thabo Mbeki.

Paul Langa, a former prisoner who is now the chief executive of the Robben Island museum, told the couples: "When we were in Robben Island, we were never allowed to see or have women. You are lucky to be married here."

- SAPA

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