ZULU WEDDING FOR ARCHBISHOP LUKHELE, MAYIBONGWE

MADULINI - “Injabulo igcwele emehlweni.” Indeed, happiness was written all over the faces of All Nations Church in Zion Archbishop Bheki Lukhele and gospel sensation Mayibongwe Mthimkhulu during their traditional wedding yesterday.

The archbishop had no problem making the above sentiments to members of the media immediately after spending over an hour dancing with his wife the traditional way.

The ceremony took place at Madulini, an area situated just a few kilometers before Nhlangano Town in the Shiselweni Region.
Even the chilly weather conditions could not disturb the glittering ceremony which was well attended by the couple’s family, church members and friends.
In Eswatini culture, the ceremony is known as umtsimba where the bride commits herself to her new family for the rest of her life. The ceremony is a celebration that includes members of both the bride’s and the groom’s families.

Before the start of the wedding, the bishop, who was recently announced as the new Chairman for premier league outfit Mbabane Swallows, spent most of his time welcoming his guests while dressed in a black jacket which hid his traditional attire.
It was just after 2pm when the master of ceremonies (MC), radio personality Ntfombitanele Motsa, announced that the occasion was about to start when the bishop and his men took off their jackets which revealed their Zulu traditional attire.

In true Zulu style, the groom and his men were clad in emashoba which are cow tails worn on the upper arms and below the knees giving their appearance a greater bulk.

Also part of their traditional wear was the sinene which resembles a front apron consisting of coin sized circular skin patches sewn closely together.
The men would not have spotted a complete Zulu look without donning emabheshu which are the rear aprons which are usually made of calf skin.

In song and dance, they entered the main arena, which had about three tents which were pitched to accommodate the guests.

Police band entertains

By that time, the guests were being entertained by the Royal Eswatini Police Service Band while they looked forward to witnessing the perfect traditional union of the couple.

After the groom and his men had settled, the delegation accompanying the bride was heard singing and ululating outside the gate as they danced their way inside the main arena.

The bride’s delegation looked lovely in their yellow Eswatini traditional lihiya and was joined by young maidens who were clad in indlamu.
After settling inside the arena, it was all dance and the guests had no choice but to ululate throughout.
It was when the bride was joined by the groom that the guests were really entertained.

As they danced, other guests, including the groom’s brother businessman Kabasa Lukhele, would now and again join them in appreciation and perform what is known as kudlalisela.

Also, as per the culture, the guests would now and again dance closer to the bride and insert money notes on her head as part of appreciating her.
It was just after 4pm when the MC announced that it was time for refreshments but it seemed like the dancing had just begun.

This is because both the bride and groom’s delegation left the arena but continued to dance around the home as guests enjoyed the scrumptious meal that had been prepared for them.

Interviewed after the ceremony, the couple excitedly said they were happy with their event.
“I cannot even explain much, you can see it all over my face and those of everyone who is here,” the bishop said.
His words were echoed by his wife who said she was thankful that family members were there to witness her union with the popular bishop.

Ceremony to end today

The umtsimba ceremony comes exactly three months after the bishop paid lobola for his bride.
It was on June 8, 2019 when the Lukhele family visited Mthimkhulu’s parental homestead situated at Hhelehhele just outside Manzini to present about 17 cattle as a bride price.

This weekend’s ceremony is expected to end today with the umhlambiso ceremony where the bride will spoil her in-laws with gifts.
As part of the entertainment local musicians were also in the line-up and these included Nonhle Mthethwa, Bishop Maculuve among others.

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