Africa’s first mass same-sex marriage holds in South Africa

Not even the heavy rain and icy weather that swept over the Garden Route on Friday could dampen the spirits of 15 couples who tied the knot in Africa's first mass same-sex marriage in Knysna. Dressed in designer wedding attire the couples said their I do's at Villa Castollini in celebration of the 16th annual Pink Loerie Mardi Gras and Arts Festival. Among them were several well-known locals including Hoekwil couple‚ Vernon and Tony Gibbs-Halls‚ who renewed their vows after 10 years of marriage. They were the first gay couple in Africa to legally marry - on December 1 2006. The couples led the annual Pink Loerie parade through the streets of Knysna the following day. The festival attracts up to 30 000 people every year and raises thousands of rands for charity.