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Odwa Wopula and his wife, Nwabisa, founders of the Bags on Call events management company and popular Uthando LwamaMpondo Festival, shone a ray of sunlight on crime-ravaged Lusikisiki which has drawn attention recently for all the wrong reasons.
The massacre of 18 people — 15 women, a 13-year-old boy, and two men — in the homesteads of a widow and her sister, made headlines nationally and across the world.
In a bid to highlight all the good in Lusikisiki and to spread a message of love by drawing attention to the area’s colourful AmaMpondo heritage and breathtaking scenery, the couple hosted a mass wedding where five couples from disadvantaged backgrounds who had dreamt of having a white wedding but lacked the finances to do so, got to experience their wish.
While each couple’s love story is unique they all have one thing in common — wanting to walk down the aisle with the bride wearing white and hundreds of well-wishers in attendance.
Were it not for the Wopulas, their dream may never have materialised.
The Wopulas, who are celebrating their 19th wedding anniversary in 2024, ensured Noxolo and Bongani Mpezi, Coceka and Sandi Mabovu, Andiswa and Mmeli Sifumba, Bongiswa and Xola Mavuka, and Siyabonga and Noluthando Vevu made memories of a lifetime on their special day, and their honeymoons, which were also gifted to them.
All the couples, who were already married traditionally, walked down the aisle and exchanged their matrimonial vows in front of Pastor Vuyani Nono, with about 1,000 witnesses from different walks of life in attendance.
Their wedding extravaganza was hosted by Bags on Call through the company’s Uthando LwamaMpondo Festival at the Magwa Tea Estate’s airstrip.
The couples’ wedding attire was sourced locally.
Recording artists including Mafikizolo, Betusile Mcinga, Jumbo, Jamakazi, Mr Vee, Buli, amaMpondo traditional groups, as well as local DJs provided the entertainment at the wedding.
The festival also featured an exhibition tent dedicated to Mpondo beadwork and crafts, allowing local artisans to shine.
The couples were selected when they answered a social media post by BOC and Uthando LwamaMpondo calling for couples wishing to have a free white wedding to share their love stories.
“The requirement was that they should be traditionally married and should be from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“We received an avalanche of stories and started a process of selecting the five couples,” Odwa said.
“The Uthando LwamaMpondo Festival seeks to give a platform of engagement in the fight against GBV as well as boost tourism and enhance the offerings the region puts to the market.
“We want to showcase our cultural gifts and creations in arts, crafts, visuals, and other talents in modern society,” Odwa said.
“This is our way of giving back to the community and spreading love.
“Lusikisiki is currently leading with GBVF in SA and we are reintroducing the basics of love to combat this bad behaviour.
“We believe a foundation of a caring and loving community is based on caring and loving families.”
The couples enjoyed their honeymoons at the Mbotyi River Lodge, a family hotel and holiday resort on the stunning Wild Coast.
The Wopulas said they worked with many stakeholders including businesses, the Inquza Hill Municipality, OR Tambo district and provincial government, and individuals.
They held their first mass wedding event in Lusikisiki on March 19 2023.
“It is heartwarming for us to see people radiating with joy at realising their dreams of exchanging their wedding vows,” Nwabisa said.
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