‘I recognise you, hubby’

Mbete ties the knot

NATIONAL Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete celebrated her 67th birthday in style on Saturday, by exchanging vows with her longtime lover Mokgatla Khomo at her Gumatana village in Mqanduli, Eastern Cape.

Free State-based businessman Khomo is 10 years younger than Mbete. The two were both married to different partners before.

Mbethe was married to Keorapetse Kgositsile for 14 years and divorced in 1992.

The bride’s brother, Mphakama Mbete, said he was not surprised that her sister decided to get married at such an old age as she took tune from the international icon Nelson Mandela.

Madiba was 80 and Graca Machell was 55 when the two tied the knot in 1988. “One can get married at any time when they feel that it is convenient for them to do so,” said Mphakama.

Addressing guests, the groom said: “I have never been so happy as I’m now in my life. I do not love her as the speaker [of parliament] or former deputy president, but I love her as Baleka.”

Khomo’s daughter Makhotso Khomo said she was very happy for her parents. “I have never seen my dad this happy in my life. For mom B, as I always refer to her, I am so happy that we travelled this far in order to make you our makoti. I’m happy when my dad is happy. I wish them all the best.”

Guests at the wedding included UDM’s Bantu Holomisa, Defence Minister Nosiviwe MapisaNqakula and Swaziland delegation led by King Mswati III’s son, Prince Mfanyana K Dlamini.

Mapisa-Nqakula and Mbete have been friends for more than 34 years. “I am happy that this day has finally come and see my friend so happy after many years of loneliness,” she said.

Baleka’s sister, Motjatji Mbete, said they were all inspired by the decision their bigger sister has taken to get married in her 60s.

“Sisi [sister] has shown that it is never [too] late to get married. There is hope that we will also get on and get married,” she said.

Mbete’s lobola included 11 cows, 10 of which are pregnant.

Holomisa was as equally excited. “It is good to see that even under pressure because of the work we are doing, people still have time to enjoy life and forget about all the stress in parliament,” Holomisa said.

He confirmed that Mbete took a leaf from Madiba who Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu advised to get married, saying “as head of state, president of the party and leader of society it is not right to have a girlfriend. He instructed him to marry Graca than having her as girlfriend.”