Criselda Kananda ties the knot
RADIO personality and motivational speaker Criselda Kananda married her longtime partner, Siyolo Dudumashe, in Johannesburg yesterday.
The couple, who met in 2009, said their “I do’s” at the Rhema Bible Church ahead of a gorgeous pearl and diamond-themed reception at Summer Place in Hyde Park.
Guests included Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and musician Sibongile Khumalo.
The 45-year-old bride and mother of three wore Fred Eboka and businessman Dudumashe chose a three-piece suit and Egyptian cotton shirt by Paledi Segapo of Palso Homme.
The pair went on their first date shortly after Dudumashe reached out on her Facebook fan page about seven years ago.
He popped the question unexpectedly one night as they watched Cartoon Network.
“I just knew I was born to make her happy,” he said ahead of yesterday’s nuptials.
The couple were married by pastor Mike Hodgkinson.
“When I was first diagnosed [with HIV], I went to Rhema and Mike was the same pastor that counselled me when I was think- ing of killing myself,” she said.
Kananda walked down the aisle to Jennifer Hudson’s Giving myself, sung by Sihle Seleke, who delivered it as a gift from first lady Bongi Ngema-Zuma, who was unable to attend.
Wedding planner and ex- Generations star Sophie Ndaba said the event took a month to plan and had “just a touch of bling”.
Guests indulged in starters of butternut and biltong soup, mains of slow-roasted lamb and roast chicken served with boulangère potatoes and winter greens.
The couple plan to go to Mozambique’s Matemo Island for their honeymoon but, due to the bride’s busy schedule, “that’ll probably be in December”, said Dudumashe.
I just knew I was born to make her happy