Man weds four brides on the same day

• South African says he prefers polygamy to keeping girlfriends as he says ‘I do’

In a polygamous marriage, only the first wife is legally recognised, which could pose some difficulties in dividing the husband’s property when he dies.

South Africa has the highest number of HIV-positive people in the world — some five million.

Since having more than one sexual partner increases the chances of contracting the virus, it is understandable that Smangele’s family had reservations about her entering into a polygamous marriage.

“My family was not pleased at first, but they came around eventually,” she says.

They are taking the necessary precautions, which include regular HIV tests.

“I had my last test a few months ago when I was pregnant... We are all disciplined about staying healthy,” she says.

The arrangements seem to have been carefully thought out down to the last detail, including how Mr Mbhele will alternate between his four wives, who all live in different parts of northern KwaZulu-Natal province.

Visitation plan

“There are seven days in a week and I have four wives. I will take turns visiting them and use the remaining three days to rest,” he says.

At this point Smangele, who has been quiet with her head bowed, looks up and smiles at her husband. When asked how she feels about Mr Mbhele’s visitation plan she quickly responds.

“I believe it will work. I am used to living on my own and having him visit me on certain days so this won’t be anything new to us,” she says, reaching for her husband’s hand.

Mr Mbhele has three children with “first wife” Thobile, two with “wife-number-two” Zanele, one child with Baqinisile, referred to as “wife-number-three” and two children with “youngest wife” Smangele.

He also has three children from a previous relationship.

He owns 100 cows and 250 goats and has a good job, so he is relatively wealthy, at least by traditional standards.