ANC bigwigs and high-profile celebs donned their glad rags and rolled up in style to East London’s society wedding of the year when 2006 Miss South Africa Teen Zizo Beda and home affairs spokesman Mayihlome Tshwete said “I do”.
Umhlobo Wenene host and former Clarendon High School for Girls pupil Beda arrived two hours late for her nup- tials at St Saviour’s Anglican Church in the CBD, sending ripples of concern through her groom, who could be seen peering nervously through the church door for signs of his bride.
It was worth the wait. Clutching a simple bouquet of creamy roses Beda, who also presents the Live Lotto draw on television and was a long-time host of SABC lifestyle magazine show Selimathunzi, finally arrived in an eye-catching, snow-white, long-sleeved wedding gown. Her face was shielded by a flowing waist-length veil with a delicate scalloped lace trim.
Dressed in a floor-length soft apricot chantilly lace with a silk veil, writer Asanda Matsaunyane was in attendance to straighten her sister’s dress ahead of her walk down the aisle.
The bride’s dress was made by South African fashion label Rubicon Clothing. Designer Hangwani Nengovhela said they had tried to make the dress as classy as the bride.
“We have been dressing Zizo for years now and one thing she stated for her dress was that she wanted it to have a traditional wedding gown look to it, so we used chantilly lace with a silk veil. The mother of the bride and the bridesmaids were also dressed by Rubicon,” she said.
Because Beda is a private person she was unable to divulge the price of the dress.
Nengovhela described the bride as a friend and someone who is humble and grounded.
“She is always a pleasure to work with; you can see she comes from a good family. Because of the pregnancy, dressing her was a bit tricky. We had to wait until the final hour to make her dregs, while the other dresses were done months ago,” said Nengovhela.
Tshwete, the son of late ANC stalwart Steve Tshwete, looked sharp in a royal blue smoking jacket with black trim, classic white shirt and bow tie. His look matched that of his six groomsmen, who milled around outside the church in blue suits and dark shades, taking selfies and chatting to guests.
Like his bride, who is the face of Garnier, Tshwete is a model. He is the face of premium cognac company Remy Martin.
Well-wishers and passers-by cheered as government heavyweights made their way up the church steps. They included the groom’s boss, Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba, Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, and ANC provincial secretary Oscar Mabuyane.
Fashion plate Gigaba wore an edgy checked beige suit and olive tie, which matched the pattern of his wife Noma’s body-hugging dress.
A section of St Peter’s Road was cordoned off, with barricades between Oxford Street and Belgravia Crescent. A strong police and law enforcement presence was in place and reporters were barred from entering the church.
Spotted by the Daily Dispatch team were Small Business Development Minister Lindile Zulu, Deputy Minister of Human Settlements Zoe Kota-Fredericks, former BCM mayor Zukiswa Ncitha and ambassador Charles Nqakula.
Former national police commissioner Bheki Cele (known by some as the Cat in the Hat) wore a signature black fedora hat with red feather and a salmon pink tie, while ANC national spokesman Zizi Kodwa beat the heat with an open collar. His glamorous wife Zama was in a floral halterneck dress.
Dressed in a powder blue suit, Kwaito legend Thebe told reporters he was not scheduled to perform at the Gonubie Manor reception.
Also in attendance were ANC Women’s League president and Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini, who declined to pose for the press. Deputy Minister of Tourism Thoko Xasa, well-known author and socialite Khaya Dlanga and deputy labour minister Phathekile Holomisa also filed into the church.
A stately grey 1948 Ford Super Deluxe, its bonnet adorned with traditional white ribbon, awaited the bridal couple.
But celebrations of South Africa’s “it” couple did not end last night.
The traditional version of the wedding is scheduled to be held at the Tshwete home in King William’s Town today.
VIDEO: Top wedding
Umhlobo Wenene host and former Clarendon High School for Girls pupil Beda arrived two hours late for her nup- tials at St Saviour’s Anglican Church in the CBD, sending ripples of concern through her groom, who could be seen peering nervously through the church door for signs of his bride.
It was worth the wait. Clutching a simple bouquet of creamy roses Beda, who also presents the Live Lotto draw on television and was a long-time host of SABC lifestyle magazine show Selimathunzi, finally arrived in an eye-catching, snow-white, long-sleeved wedding gown. Her face was shielded by a flowing waist-length veil with a delicate scalloped lace trim.
Dressed in a floor-length soft apricot chantilly lace with a silk veil, writer Asanda Matsaunyane was in attendance to straighten her sister’s dress ahead of her walk down the aisle.
The bride’s dress was made by South African fashion label Rubicon Clothing. Designer Hangwani Nengovhela said they had tried to make the dress as classy as the bride.
“We have been dressing Zizo for years now and one thing she stated for her dress was that she wanted it to have a traditional wedding gown look to it, so we used chantilly lace with a silk veil. The mother of the bride and the bridesmaids were also dressed by Rubicon,” she said.
Because Beda is a private person she was unable to divulge the price of the dress.
Nengovhela described the bride as a friend and someone who is humble and grounded.
“She is always a pleasure to work with; you can see she comes from a good family. Because of the pregnancy, dressing her was a bit tricky. We had to wait until the final hour to make her dregs, while the other dresses were done months ago,” said Nengovhela.
Tshwete, the son of late ANC stalwart Steve Tshwete, looked sharp in a royal blue smoking jacket with black trim, classic white shirt and bow tie. His look matched that of his six groomsmen, who milled around outside the church in blue suits and dark shades, taking selfies and chatting to guests.
Like his bride, who is the face of Garnier, Tshwete is a model. He is the face of premium cognac company Remy Martin.
Well-wishers and passers-by cheered as government heavyweights made their way up the church steps. They included the groom’s boss, Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba, Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, and ANC provincial secretary Oscar Mabuyane.
Fashion plate Gigaba wore an edgy checked beige suit and olive tie, which matched the pattern of his wife Noma’s body-hugging dress.
A section of St Peter’s Road was cordoned off, with barricades between Oxford Street and Belgravia Crescent. A strong police and law enforcement presence was in place and reporters were barred from entering the church.
Spotted by the Daily Dispatch team were Small Business Development Minister Lindile Zulu, Deputy Minister of Human Settlements Zoe Kota-Fredericks, former BCM mayor Zukiswa Ncitha and ambassador Charles Nqakula.
Former national police commissioner Bheki Cele (known by some as the Cat in the Hat) wore a signature black fedora hat with red feather and a salmon pink tie, while ANC national spokesman Zizi Kodwa beat the heat with an open collar. His glamorous wife Zama was in a floral halterneck dress.
Dressed in a powder blue suit, Kwaito legend Thebe told reporters he was not scheduled to perform at the Gonubie Manor reception.
Also in attendance were ANC Women’s League president and Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini, who declined to pose for the press. Deputy Minister of Tourism Thoko Xasa, well-known author and socialite Khaya Dlanga and deputy labour minister Phathekile Holomisa also filed into the church.
A stately grey 1948 Ford Super Deluxe, its bonnet adorned with traditional white ribbon, awaited the bridal couple.
But celebrations of South Africa’s “it” couple did not end last night.
The traditional version of the wedding is scheduled to be held at the Tshwete home in King William’s Town today.
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