Mandela marries Graca on b8217;day

The wedding had been planned two months ago but the couple had not wanted news to leak out until the union had been formalised, Mbeki said.

quot;I have a very short statement to make and a very happy one. President Nelson Mandela and Graca Machel got married this afternoon,quot; Mbeki told reporters at his official residence in Pretoria.

It is Mandela8217;s third marriage and Machel8217;s second. The 52-year-old Machel is the widow of former Mozambican president Samora Machel.

The ceremony took place between 3.30 and 4.00 pm. 1330 And 1400 GMT, Mbeki said.

None of Mandela8217;s surviving four children, two from his first marriage to Evelyn Mase and two from his second marriage to WinnieMadikezela-Mandela, attended the ceremony, Mbeki said.

Mandela8217;s younger sister and three brothers of Machel attended the ceremony.The President wore one of his familiar floral shirts and Machel wore a long white dress with lace, Mbeki said.

quot;They exchanged rings. When asked to kiss they kissed and the President said it was the first time he had kissed her,quot; Mbeki said.

Mandela had the ring in his own pocket, but Mbeki said he and his wife signed as witnesses to the marriage. He added that Machel would continue to use her own name. A large group of people gathered outside Mandela8217;s house, singing wedding songs as news spread that Madiba, the clan name by Mandela is affectionately known, had tied the knot.

quot;I want him to have somebody to look after him, so its okay if he marries Graca. I am happy for him,quot; one woman said.

Flower delivery vans and senior ANC officials were also seen arriving at Mandela8217;s house.

Mandela earlier celebrated his 80th birthday quietly with family, Machel and friends onSaturday in the sandstone house first used by the apartheid rulers who jailed him for 27 years.

Though he refused any formal celebrations, Mandela received a number of friends bringing gifts and food to Mahlambandlopfu, the official presidential residence overlooking Pretoria.

Amina Cachalia, who fought apartheid with Mandela before he was jailed in 1962, led a delegation of Indian women taking him a giant curry.

Mahlambandlopfu, which in the Tsonga language means quot;the place where the elephant bathesquot;, was the official residence of South Africa8217;s apartheid presidents.