Temba Bavuma weds his love Phila
Proteas batsman Temba Bavuma married his sweetheart Phila Lobi in a fairytale white wedding in the Cape Winelands, followed by a traditional ceremony at his family’s home
ALIGHT breeze blows on an early Saturday morning. Clouds are scattered across the sky and, every now and then, a ray of sun breaks through. The gated complex in the hills of Cape Town’s northern suburbs is quiet – most residents are probably opting to sleep in – but at one residence there’s an excited buzz. Tables and chairs are being set up in the large garage where white, brown, yellow and green linen drapes the walls.
Family and childhood friends of the groom are hard at work in preparation for the big moment: it’s the day Temba Bavuma (28) marries the love of his life, Phila Lobi (26). Phila will become Temba’s umfazi [wife] at the home of his parents, Vuyo (57) and Phumza (52).
The lovebirds chose the first day of spring to celebrate their union and although dark clouds of heavy rain are forecast, there’s not a droplet in sight.
“God made this day especially for them,” remarks an uncle who’s helping to set up while we wait for the bride and groom to arrive.
THE batsman is known for knocking a fast-paced ball to the boundary, yet when he first laid eyes on Phila he was the one who was hit for a six. They were introduced by a mutual friend eight years ago.
It was love at first sight for Temba but, according to his younger sister, also Phila (23), the accountant took some time to warm up to the sports star.
“Temba had a bit of a tough time trying
to win her affection,” his sister says. “But once they hit it off it was like wildfire.”
Temba knew right off the bat Phila was the woman he wanted to marry, he tells us when he arrives at his parents’ home.
It’s hard to pin him down as he checks in on the festivities but the smitten groom lights up when he speaks of Phila.
“Her caring, loving nature is what makes her so loveable,” he says, clearly head over heels. “She’ll defend me at all times – that’s what led me to believe she’s the one.”
In December last year he decided he wanted to marry his greatest champion. “Everything for us is dictated by culture. So, my uncles formed a delegation that went to her side of the family to negotiate and discuss lobola,” Temba says.
After several months of negotiations Phila’s family gave their blessing for the batsman to marry her. Then it was time for the Proteas player to go down on bended knee.
Temba planned an intimate dinner at their home in Fourways, Johannesburg, in June – but his romantic proposal was ruined when Phila decided to go out with friends that night.
Temba knew he was running out of time: he was set to leave for India the next day to play cricket for six weeks with the national team. When Phila came home later that evening he scrapped his dinner plans and improvised his proposal.
It might not have played out the way he intended but Temba says Phila was over the moon and said “yes” without a second thought.
While he darts off to get dressed in his black-and-white traditional kit, designed 1 There was singing and dancing in the streets as the new bride, Phila, was welcomed at her in-laws’ home. 2 Temba and Phila were radiant at their traditional wedding. 3 Temba’s sister, Phila Bavuma (in red), sat next to her new sister-in-law as the welcomehome ceremony kicked off. 4 Temba’s former Highveld Lions teammate Thami Tsolekile attended the ceremony with his wife, Ncediwe, and children, Nstika and Malela. 5 Temba’s sister and mom, Phila and Phumza, were elated to welcome the makoti to their family. 6 Guests came from Gauteng and Temba’s childhood neighbourhood, Langa in Cape Town, to celebrate. by C Squared, a taxi pulls up. It’s filled with his family’s former neighbours from Langa, who emerge from the van in joyous song.
Temba, who made history in 2016 as
the first black African cricketer to make a Test century for South Africa, grew up in the Cape Town neighbourhood.
The Bavuma family moved from Langa to Bryanston, Johannesburg, in 2004, where they still live, but maintain a home in Cape Town and our proud to have ties to Langa.
JUST a week before the traditional festivities, Temba and Phila celebrated their white wedding at a spectacular garden ceremony in Franschhoek. Fellow cricketers were out in full force – Kagiso Rabada, Andile Phehlukwayo and former Lions and Titans coach Dave Nosworthy were among the 115 guests who witnessed the couple exchange vows at The Conservatory, a lush green venue lined with oak trees and vineyards.
Temba and his groomsmen were resplendent in suits by Carducci. His white jacket stood out among the all-black suits of his groomsmen and a dashing bowtie completing his smooth look.
Temba could barely take his eyes off his bride as her father, Goodman Muntsu Lobi, accompanied her down the aisle.
Phila was breathtaking in a form-fitting lace gown by Chanel Designs with sheer panels and a sweeping veil.
Her dramatic bouquet of roses and tulips matched the blush pink of her bridesmaid’s dresses and the flowers on the sophisticated table settings.
Guests gathered in the elegant dining room at The Conservatory where the flowers and candles added a touch of romance.
The couple also had candles with their initials at the ceremony, showing they’d planned things down to the last detail.
Champagne flowed while guests enjoyed canapés of California sushi rolls topped with tempura prawns, miniature naan bread with chicken tikka and mini tacos, all catered by Salt and Pepper. Rack of lamb, served with creamy potatoes, pea purée and red-wine dressing, followed as the main course.
The night ended on a sweet note with wedding cake, created by Lion Heart Patisserie in four flavours – chocolate, red velvet, lemon poppy seed and carrot.
The couple’s first dance was to I Do by Amanda Black before guests took to the dance floor.
Their fairytale wedding cost R350 000 and was planned by Precious Thamaga, who Temba says “did a fantastic job and really brought our idea to life”.
“It was a dream,” Phila adds.
TEMBA’S mother, Phumza, tells us during preparations for the traditional wedding that this is the big one. “To us, a white wedding is just a white wedding. The traditional one is the most important.” To ensure her son’s day goes off without a glitch the proud mom roped in the help of Mantwa Décor for the special day, which is traditionally organised by the groom’s family.
“I love my son, the motherly love within me makes me support him no matter what decision he makes,” Phumza says, “and this is why I told him I’ll love Phila as my own.”
A ray of sun breaks through the dark clouds when Phila makes her grand entrance. The bride, who was also born and raised in Langa, is escorted down the street by neighbours who sing Temba wethu [Our Temba].
The families part to allow Phila, who’s gorgeous in a black-and-white custommade dress by Fashion Kapitol, to enter the Bavuma home.
At the entrance of the garage she’s met by her husband, who escorts his beautiful bride to the head table where they take their seats on two oversize white couches.
The master of ceremony, Songezo Ngcongolo, welcomes the guests. The garage is packed to the rafters with wellwishers. Some sit scattered around on chairs while many stand to get a glimpse of the festivities.
Temba and Phila are taken to the backyard of the family’s home, where Temba’s uncle Tengo Sokanyile slaughters a sheep.
Then it’s time for a change of clothes. The bride is escorted by Temba’s sister, Phila, and later emerges from the family home covered in a headscarf, wearing a skirt and wrapped in a blanket.
Now in her “wife clothes”, as she puts it, Phila is given a new name by women
from Temba’s clan. The women have named her Thobile, which means kindness or humility.
After the customs have been observed, guests tuck into hearty food prepared by Langa-based caterers Nopinki’s Catering Service. A buffet of creamed spinach, glazed butternut, white and brown samp, lamb stew and chicken is served.
Taking a break from the festivities, Temba tells us he and Phila have no immediate plans to go on honeymoon. “I’ll be busy with cricket season, so we might try to find time next year.”
Switzerland, Isle of Man and Greece are on top of their wish list.
Could we see little Tembas and Philas running around anytime soon?
Temba laughs. “We’re under pressure from our uncles and aunts,” he says. “But we’d still like to enjoy the exuberance of our marriage.”
He excuses himself as Songezo takes to the stage to welcome three women “who’ve been in the marriage game for long” to bless the couple with words of 1 The couple’s white wedding was a fairytale affair at The Conservatory in Franschhoek. 2 The bride was escorted down the aisle by proud dad Goodman Muntsu Lobi. 3 Just more than 100 guests witnessed the cricketer and accountant exchange their vows on a beautiful morning in the Cape Winelands. 4 The bridal party were chic in blush pink bridesmaid dresses and black suits for the groomsmen, who included Proteas bowling sensation Kagiso Rabada (far right). 5 The four-tier wedding cake had chocolate, red velvet, lemon poppy seed and carrot cake layers covered in fondant and adorned with roses. 6 Guests feasted on a main course of rack of lamb. wisdom. The importance of respect and communication is repeatedly conveyed to the young couple before proud mom Phumza takes the microphone.
“Phila, I welcome you into my home,” she lovingly tells her new daughter-inlaw. Phila attentively listens to her new mom while Temba tenderly gazes at his new wife.
He has eyes only for Phila and it’s clear this batsman is bowled over by love.