First reported South African woman marries herself

A widow from Vanderbijlpark decided at the age of 63 that she would marry again, only this time her soulmate was someone she knew best – herself.

Rita Woodall-Terblanche tied the knot with herself in a private ceremony last Saturday at the Riverside Sun Hotel conference centre.

Sologamy, defined as a marriage by a person to him or herself, is steadily gaining traction worldwide, but Rita is so far the first person in Vanderbijlpark – and possibly the first South African – to marry herself, reports Vaal Weekblad.

Seven guests attended the intimate ceremony.

Rita drove herself to her ceremony in her car, complete with white and yellow balloons and ribbons.

Her bouquet consisted of four yellow sunflowers with a protea flower in the middle.

Minutes later, Rita’s personally designed wedding ring fits snug around her finger. The ring has yellow diamonds and is shaped like a horse hoof.

Rita’s friend Leonie Gouws led the ceremony.

“We are here today for the marriage of Rita to herself. You will all agree that she looks beautiful today. She is the person with the warmest heart that I have ever met,” Gouws said.

Rita was then asked to make an oath and a promise to herself.

“I hereby promise that I, Rita Woodall-Terblanche, will love myself, take care of myself, care about myself, respect and, above all else, be true to myself, to the best of my ability. I promise this in the name of the Almighty and all present witnesses.”

After Rita’s vows, she put her wedding ring on her finger, prompting loud applause and well wishes from her….

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