The first gay couple to marry legally in South Africa will celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary at Africa’s first mass same-sex wedding in Knysna.

Mayor Georlene Wolmarans will marry 16 couples on Friday‚ April 29‚ and Vernon and Tony Gibbs-Hall will renew their vows.

The mass wedding at Villa Castollini will be part of the 16th Knysna Pink Loerie Festival from April 27 to May 1.

Pink Loerie coordinator John-Louis O’Neil said he was delighted to have the Gibbs-Halls at the event.

“The LGBTI (Lesbian‚ Gay‚ Bisexual‚ Transgender and Intersex) community have fought long and hard to be recognised‚” he said.

“Having same-sex marriages legalised in South Africa finally had the country recognise that marriage equality exists for all its citizens.

“It is definite cause for celebration and we could not be more pleased that Vernon and Tony have agreed to celebrate their love for each other with us.”

Last year‚ Knysna hosted Mr Gay World during the festival and Knysna & Partners CEO Greg Vogt said he was pleased this year’s festival would host another first.

“One of the greatest things about our area is its people and their ease with which they embrace people from different nationalities‚ cultures‚ creeds and race‚” he said. – TMG Digital

CAPTION: South Africa’s first legally married LGBTI couple‚ Tony (left) and Vernon Gibbs-Hall‚ with Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu Picture: SUPPLIED