Times Of Swaziland: IT WAS AN ACT – SANDS, MCBUBBLES

IT WAS AN ACT – SANDS, MCBUBBLES
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BY THEMBELANI NHLABATSI on 14/02/2020 00:19:00


EZULWINI – Lets play a love game! In a press conference where the #MyLoveStory
winners were being announced, Sands and McBubbles dropped a bombshell.
The duo who took the country by storm late last month when they posted pictures
of themselves in what seemed like a marriage proposal to McBubbles.
Although their relationship had sparked rumours of not being real, the duo kept
on insisting that their love was real and true through a series of interviews
with media outlets.
In one of Sands’ Instagram pictures, a caption read “to new beginnings”
which was confirming that they were indeed starting on a new journey.
divulge
It is worth noting that each time the singer was reached for comment on the
relationship, he would not divulge any information but instead referred this
publication to his manager, Melusi Zox Dlamini.
Dlamini’s responses were always sketchy further confirming the doubts people
had about the relationship.
“Think of it like a movie or soapie, many public personalities who act as
couples on screen have a private life,” said Dlamini.
After the conference which was held to announce Sicelo Ndlandla and Similwesihle
Ndlandla as the grand prize winner of #Mylovestory, this reporter went on to
interview Sands and McBubbles.
The two attested that it was all an act and the love story was over for them.
translated
“I am saying it was a love story and i-love story iphelile,” said McBubbles.
Loosely translated; ‘the love story is over’.
In a recording that this publication has in its possession, Sands is heard
saying, “we are now announcing that it is over and I have my own relationship,
Todvwa has her own relationship.”
He also highlighted that his relationship with his partner was not affected by
this and that she knew from the start that he was acting.
Probably the most interesting part is that corporate entities like MTN Eswatini
and Eswatini Tourism were all in on this facade.
CEO of Eswatini Tourism Linda Nxumalo said she was pleased with the ambassadors
and that they represented the campaign well. She further mentioned that people
should not then offer to do decorations for their wedding.
initiative
Speaking to this reporter, Marketing Officer Melusi ‘Zox’Dlamini said this
domestic marketing initiative, which was planned for a one-month period, had
been developed by Eswatini Tourism Authority, Happy Valley Hotel and Eswatini
Airlink with the overall objectives to promote: travel and activities within the
Kingdom, new accommodation at Happy Valley Hotel as well as Eswatini Airlink as
the preferred travel partner. The aim of this campaign was to find a perfect
love story in Eswatini. The winning couple would in turn win all-expenses paid
for a Valentines weekend excursion.
This Domestic Tourism Campaign provides for enhanced focus on the domestic
market,” said Dlamini.
McBubbles said the fact that over a hundred participants responded to this
campaign it meant that they had done a great job as an inspiration.
The duo played out their acting up to the last minute as they walked in together
just after the proceedings of the conference had started.
conference
Present at the conference was Linda Nxumalo, who is the CEO for ETA, Meshack
Maseko, who is a Senior Manager at MTN Eswatini, Minister of Tourism Moses
Vilakati, Town Clerk at Ezulwini Municipality Vusi Matsebula, Siboniso Madlopha,
who is the Head of Marketing at ETA as well as Happy Valley GM, Julius
Mkhatshwa.
When a fan was asked about how they felt about this announcement, Lombuso
Mazibuko said she was disappointed as she was one of the people who genuinely
believed in this love story.