There was nothing really striking about leader of Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) Duma Boko’s wedding in Moshupa on Saturday.
However, the ceremony at Phuting ward was unique in its own way. It was a celebration of love and tradition as the couple opted for simple outfits and décor during the morning church service before quickly sliding into traditional Xhosa outfits later in the afternoon.
Contrary to common practice the church service was held at the family home comprising of relatives and a few neighbours. For longer periods Boko showed very little emotion while his bride just giggled as the pastor addressed the congregation sited under the white netting.
After long a session of preaching by pastor Mmoloki Mogokgwane another pastor took over to officially marry the couple.
The crowd waited anxiously as each of them repeated after the pastor, the marriages vows and slowly slid the wedding rings into each other’s fingers but it all broke into laughter and ululations when the pastor declared “you may kiss the bride.”
Kaone’s shy nature came out as she could not kiss freely in front of the crowd.
The groom on the other hand looked comfortable locking his lips into his new wife’s. But it was all done and dusted in a few minutes.
Duma’s relatives from Mahalapye painted the occasion with some orange Xhosa traditional outfits.
From the religious ceremony, the entourage disappeared for a change of attire. What followed was a spectacle of Xhosa culture with the newly weds draped in white Xhosa wrap around outfits and matching headgears.
From home four by four vehicles among them a sleek latest Range Rover, made way to the Moshupa Bridge right in the middle of the village.
As the couple strolled along the sidewalk, people in passing cars whistled and ululated and thus attracting more curiosity from the village.
After a few minutes of well- staged photo and video shooting the crowd proceeded to a secluded spot along the river for yet another exciting shoot.
Back home the couple was ushered into a big white marquee tent, and were joined by the rest of the invited guests for lunch.
Once everybody was seated, South African jazz artist Sonti Ndebele dished out a soulful tune to the crowd and were followed by the Clement Jackson Crew who kept the crowd occupied while lunch was being served.
