{{Tshepo Cameron Modisane and Thoba Calvin Sithole, both 27, met several years ago while studying in Durban, but lost contact with each other.}}<\/p>\n
A chance meeting in a gym in the suburbs of Johannesburg led to them becoming training partners, then a couple. After three years as boyfriends Mr Modisane proposed in June 2012.<\/p>\n
South Africa legalised same-sex marriage in 2006, but the pair still drew media attention as the area\u2019s \u201cfirst legal gay wedding\u201d.<\/p>\n
On 6 April the pair were married in a ceremony drawing on traditions from both Mr Modisane\u2019s Tswana and Mr Sithole\u2019s Zulu ancestry. <\/p>\n
Both wore traditional regalia, asked their ancestors for blessing, and a cow was slaughtered. Gifts were presented to the parents of both men as thanks for raising them.<\/p>\n
Speaking to ENCA at the ceremony, Mr Modisane said the wedding went \u201cagainst the idea that being gay isn\u2019t African. Being gay is as African as being black.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Modisane said: \u201cPeople are still ashamed because the vast majority of the black community is not accepting of being a homosexual. They see it as largely being a \u2018Western trend\u2019 that is in fashion lately.\u201d<\/p>\n
The view that homosexuality is a Western trend is often promoted by media and politicians in Africa, with perhaps the most notable recent example being the Ugandan President blaming European culture for encouraging \u201cdeviant\u201d gay behaviour, such as \u201cluring of young people using money into gay acts\u201d in March.<\/p>\n
The couple hope their wedding sets an example against this view, said Mr Modisane: \u201cIf people are inspired by our love and actions and want to do the same to follow in our footsteps then we don\u2019t mind being labelled as \u2018role models\u2019 in the LGBTI community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Sithole agreed: \u201cHiding who we are is what makes people judge us even more and makes them not accept us for who we are. <\/p>\n
If we can just live life openly then in time people will get used to the idea that gay and lesbian people are part of society and we are here to stay.\u201d<\/p>\n
watch video.<\/p>\n