JOHANNESBURG - A newspaper advertisement by a 58-year-old Free State man seeking a bride aged between 16 and 25 has sparked widespread backlash, with child protection advocates warning that it could expose vulnerable young women and girls to exploitation. While the age of consent in South Africa is 16, anyone under the age of 18 is legally regarded as a child, and child-protection organisations say the advert raises serious safeguarding concerns. Shaheda Omar, director of the Teddy Bear Foundation, said the advert could place vulnerable young people at risk, regardless of whether it was intended as a genuine proposal, satire or a publicity stunt. "The promise of a R100,000 bride price and a R5-million estate provision could be particularly appealing to young women and girls experiencing poverty, unemployment or family hardship." She also criticised the inclusion of 16-year-olds, saying the advert shared characteristics commonly associated with grooming.