Spectre of Aids at Spectre. Mandela nuptials
CHARLES MOLELE
AIDS brought former President Nelson Mandela's grandson and his wife to the altar
Mandla Mandela and his wife Thando hosted high-profile guests, including President Thabo Mbeki, and hundreds of villagers when they tied the knot at one of a series of colourful wedding ceremonies during a two-day celebra tion at the Mandela homestead at Qunu in the Eastern Cape last weekend.
Speaking at his reception, Mandia, clutching his weeping 27-year-old bride's hand, told the 300 guests that Aids had killed both his and his wife's parents.
"My parents, Makgatho and Joyce Zondi Mandela, died of Aids," said Mandla. "But I also want to tell you that my wife Thando's parents died of the disease as well."
Mandla told the guests that he met Thando at a difficult time in her life.
The couple met five years ago in Johannesburg. In 2002, her 55 year old mother, Yolisa Mabunu, died of Aids related complications. Two years later her 56-year-old father, Mpumelelo Matsumu, also died of the disease,
"In both cases I was there to support
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and comfort her," he said.
The two-day event included a formal wedding ceremony on Saturday, followed by a traditional function for hundreds of local villagers on Sunday.
Traffic on the N2, which passes the homestead's gates, came to a halt as motorists tried to catch a glimpse of the couple or Nelson Mandela.
Thando, who had chosen her three sisters as her bridesmaids, wore a flowing white gown created by Johan nesburg designer Andre Croucamp.
Mandla was flanked by his close friend, Craig Moffat, and his three brothers Andile, Ndaba and Mbuso
The guests were treated to a meal by Mthatha chef Allen Paul, who prepared a variety of seafood dishes, including crayfish, calamari and prawns. Beef Stroganoff and a spit braat of pork, lamb and chicken were also on the menu.
The couple are expected to find time in their busy schedules to escape on a honeymoon only during the Easter holidays.
Mandla is studying politics at Rhodes University in Grahamstown, and Thando works af South African Air ways as a service quality auditor.
Rewrite the article in the first person,as though you were the grandson or granddaughter.
AIDS brought my partner and me together at our wedding ceremony last weekend. It was a two-day celebration held at my grandparent's homestead in Qunu, Eastern Cape. We were honored to have high-profile guests, including President Thabo Mbeki, and hundreds of villagers in attendance.
During the reception, I took the opportunity to share a deeply personal moment with our guests. I revealed that both my parents, Makgatho and Joyce Zondi Mandela, died of AIDS. Similarly, my wife Thando's parents also succumbed to the disease. It was a poignant reminder of the devastating impact of this epidemic on our families.
Thando and I met under difficult circumstances five years ago in Johannesburg. She had already experienced the loss of her mother, Yolisa Mabunu, and two years later, her father, Mpumelelo Matsumu, also passed away from AIDS-related complications. I was there to support and comfort her during those trying times, and our bond grew stronger.
The wedding celebrations spanned two days, starting with a formal ceremony on Saturday and a traditional function for the local villagers on Sunday. The homestead was buzzing with excitement, and even traffic on the N2 came to a standstill as people tried to catch a glimpse of us or my legendary grandfather, Nelson Mandela.
Thando, surrounded by her three sisters as bridesmaids, looked radiant in her flowing white gown designed by Johannesburg's own Andre Croucamp. I, on the other hand, was accompanied by my close friend Craig Moffat and my three brothers, Andile, Ndaba, and Mbuso.
Our guests were treated to a delectable meal by Chef Allen Paul from Mthatha. The menu included a variety of seafood dishes like crayfish, calamari, and prawns, as well as Beef Stroganoff and a spit braat of pork, lamb, and chicken.
As we continue with our busy lives, we hope to steal some time away for a honeymoon, possibly during the upcoming Easter holidays. I am currently studying politics at Rhodes University in Grahamstown, while Thando works as a service quality auditor for South African Airways.
This wedding was a celebration of love, resilience, and hope amidst the specter of AIDS that has haunted our families. We are committed to raising awareness about the disease and supporting those affected by it.