Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi returned to her rural home in the village of Sidwadweni, near Tsolo, at the weekend for the second and third stages of her traditional wedding.
The usually sleepy little village was a hive of activity as flashy cars appeared, and guests and villagers arrived in their numbers to witness Tunzi marry her childhood sweetheart Luthando Bolowana, 41.
Tunzi and Bolowana were officially married at picturesque Cape winelands wedding venue the Belair Pavilion in Paarl on March 23.
On Friday, the newlyweds continued with the second leg of the wedding with a private ceremony at Tunzi’s home in Sidwadweni.
She wore the same white gown as in Belair, by Vietnamese designer Phan Huy, which featured hand-cut flowers, 3D branches and 14 types of beads and stones, for ukucanda inkundla, or returning to the homestead, according to the traditional custom.
On Saturday, it was time for the third stage, a traditional ceremony to which the entire village is invited, was held at Luthando's home in Sidwadweni, not far from Zozibini's home.
The groom wore traditional attire complete with beaded walking stick while the bride wore umbhaco, a traditional Xhosa dress and beadwork.
Eastern Cape MPL Mlibo Qoboshiyane was a guest speaker and former public works minister Thulas Nxesi also attended.
AmaMpondomise King Luzuko Zwelozuko Matiwane led a delegation of AmaMpondomise traditional leaders at the event.
Matiwane said he was proud that Tunzi was marrying a local man.
“She has raised her village flag high. Sidwadweni is only known in the world because of Zozibini,” the king said.
Many were curious about the man Tunzi was marrying.
Bolowana, known by many as Sweetboy, holds an honours degree in business administration, is a businessman in the electrical engineering field.
His mother, Thandiwe Mazitshana, is a magistrate in Mthatha. His father died last year, but had given the union his blessing.
Though it is believed that the two are childhood sweethearts, Bolowana’s aunt said she first came to know about their romance in 2016.
Tunzi and Bolowana are from Sidwadeni village in Tsolo, where they grew up together as children.
Having won many hearts around the world with her signature fade haircut, beauty and humility, Tunzi has been one of the most admired and unforgettable Miss SA and Miss Universe winners.
She made history in 2019 as the third South African woman — and the first black woman — to win the Miss Universe title.
The families, villagers and the king were overjoyed that she had chosen to marry a man from her home village.
“In isiXhosa they say intonga entle igawulwa ezizwe (the most beautiful fighting stick is found in foreign places), but Zozibini proves that this proverb is not always the case. She travelled to many countries, and stayed in New York, but her heart remained in Sidwadweni,” Bolowana’s uncle Mninawe Mazitshane said.
“She could have easily married a rich and powerful man, or a celebrity, but Zozi remained faithful to Sweetboy ... this is true love.”
Tunzi’s father, Lungisa Tunzi, and her mother, Philiswa Nadophu, both attended the events.
Her father said he and Bolowana’s mother had grown up together in Sidwadweni and even went to the same school and church.
“My daughter believes in true love, not status, fame and wealth ... We are happy that she is marrying someone we know. We know his upbringing and family,” Lungisa said.
Before any lobola negotiations could begin, Lungisa had met Bolowana.
“I wanted him to assure me about his [reasons for wanting] to get married. I found him to be grounded, committed and disciplined.
“He knows what he wants. Because I knew him growing up and grew up with his mother, Luthando is [already] like our son.
“We hope they will continue to love, honour and respect each other,” Lungisa said.
Lobola negotiations began in February 2024 and concluded in June that year.
The couple’s mothers fought back tears as they spoke about their children.
Bolowana’s mother said she felt blessed and was thankful to God, while Tunzi’s mother said: “I am very excited to see my daughter getting married.”
Mazitshane said the fourth and final leg of the wedding celebrations would be a private ceremony during which Tunzi would be given her new name as a married woman.
Daily Dispatch