After over two decades together, a couple’s wish to have their wedding finally happened thanks to romance-loving South Africans.
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (20 June, 2023) — When a man phoned a local radio station to dedicate love songs to his person, South African romantics’ ears perked up at the story of the longtime sweethearts.
It all began with a call to Vuma FM in May when radio presenter Jacinta Gobese asked her audience to dedicate love songs to their people.
One Nkosinathi Hadebe had requested four songs for his person — Zandile Cele, which made the presenter curious to learn more about their relationship.
When Jacinta found out they’d been together for around 23 years but hadn’t tied the knot, she began to think aloud on air.
“How is it possible that they’ve been together for so long?”
Curious to find out why they had never decided to marry, Jacinta pressed for more of the story. The simple questions led to a bittersweet answer, with Nkosinathi explaining that despite the couple wanting to get married, on his salary as a security guard putting money toward a wedding was no small change.
Jacinta again wondered if there wasn’t a way to bring the dream to reality and soon South Africans answered with a resounding ‘yes!’.
Kindness wasted no time to show up after the story’s traction on air and social media.
Donations, offers to take them on holiday, and more generous offers came rushing in. Among them was an early ‘wedding gift’ from viral philanthropist, Bi Phaketi.
All of these efforts helped speed up the wedding planning and possibilities. Less than a month later, Nkosinathi and Zandile’s wedding invitations were sent!
On 17 June, the longtime sweethearts finally said their vows in a wedding that stole KwaZulu-Natal’s hearts along with the rest of the country.
The ceremony, dubbed a ‘provincial wedding‘ saw community members from all over contribute to all the details that make a wedding magic—from flower bouquets to the entertainment.
Name a more wholesome wedding; we’ll wait!
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