News / Local
83-year-old ties knot, wants babies
07 Nov 2015 at 07:27hrs | Views
AN 83-year-old man from Bulawayo has defied odds and become one of Zimbabwe's oldest grooms by wedding his long time sweetheart. Judah Mpofu of Magwegwe suburb walked majestically down the aisle to be lawfully wedded to Thembelihle Moyo, 49, at a colourful ceremony at the Pelandaba Seventh-Day Adventist Church last Sunday.
Hundreds thronged the venue to witness Mpofu exchange vows with his sweetheart. Mpofu lost his first wife some years ago and up to now, Moyo was a widow.
"I'm nervous and happy at the same time as I've always dreamt of this day. I realised that living a lonely life was becoming stressful and since there's no law against getting married, I decided to find love again and here I'm ready to take MaMoyo to my home," an elated Mpofu told The Chronicle, minutes before he walked down the aisle.
"I believe there's no moment where I can be labelled as too old to marry. I'm looking forward to a great future with my wife and God willing, we will have children."
Mpofu said it took a lot of convincing to get Moyo to accept his proposal.
He said he proposed the first day he met her during a church service.
"After months of waiting, she finally said yes and the rest is history. I still remember the day she accepted my proposal. It was a dream come true for me," Mpofu said.
He urged youths to stop having multiple partners but to stay focused even in their pursuit of happiness.
"It saddens me to note that most of our youths enter into relationships just for sex. It's time they realised the importance of abstinence, investing in marriages and sustaining happy homes. After this ceremony, we will travel and go somewhere private and special for our honeymoon," Mpofu said.
His nephew, Mongameli Ngwenya, who was one of the groomsmen, said the family was happy his uncle had found love.
"We've supported him in everything but we realised there are things that we can't do for him as his children. Even Abraham in his old age after Sarah, remarried and we're happy our father will have a friend as he faces life," said Ngwenya.
Fairchild Mhlophe, the marriage officer, commended Mpofu for his courage.
"It's motivating to see an elderly man exchanging vows and ready to settle down legally. What he is doing today is Biblically correct as Genesis 2v 18 says 'it's not good for a man to be alone'," said Mhlophe.
"The Bible didn't put a limit or a cut off age and we're happy to witness this wedding. I hope both families will unite, live in peace and ensure these two, who've been joined by God, are happy."
Hundreds thronged the venue to witness Mpofu exchange vows with his sweetheart. Mpofu lost his first wife some years ago and up to now, Moyo was a widow.
"I'm nervous and happy at the same time as I've always dreamt of this day. I realised that living a lonely life was becoming stressful and since there's no law against getting married, I decided to find love again and here I'm ready to take MaMoyo to my home," an elated Mpofu told The Chronicle, minutes before he walked down the aisle.
"I believe there's no moment where I can be labelled as too old to marry. I'm looking forward to a great future with my wife and God willing, we will have children."
Mpofu said it took a lot of convincing to get Moyo to accept his proposal.
He said he proposed the first day he met her during a church service.
"After months of waiting, she finally said yes and the rest is history. I still remember the day she accepted my proposal. It was a dream come true for me," Mpofu said.
"It saddens me to note that most of our youths enter into relationships just for sex. It's time they realised the importance of abstinence, investing in marriages and sustaining happy homes. After this ceremony, we will travel and go somewhere private and special for our honeymoon," Mpofu said.
His nephew, Mongameli Ngwenya, who was one of the groomsmen, said the family was happy his uncle had found love.
"We've supported him in everything but we realised there are things that we can't do for him as his children. Even Abraham in his old age after Sarah, remarried and we're happy our father will have a friend as he faces life," said Ngwenya.
Fairchild Mhlophe, the marriage officer, commended Mpofu for his courage.
"It's motivating to see an elderly man exchanging vows and ready to settle down legally. What he is doing today is Biblically correct as Genesis 2v 18 says 'it's not good for a man to be alone'," said Mhlophe.
"The Bible didn't put a limit or a cut off age and we're happy to witness this wedding. I hope both families will unite, live in peace and ensure these two, who've been joined by God, are happy."
Source - chronicle
