Businessman keeps promise to loving wife
THE who’s who of the acting industry descended on Soweto to support one of their own in the wedding of her sister.
The actors and other celebrities were dressed to the nines at the Dlamini community hall to bear witness as local businessman Matome Meela wedded Zanele Sangweni. Sangweni is the younger sister of lead actress Sindi Dlathu.
Almost the entire crew attended the event to support Dlathu. The theme of the wedding was “shades of pink with vintage”.
The groom was the first to arrive at the beautifully decorated hall. He made a grand entrance in a vintage Chevrolet Impala coupe, accompanied by other two classic Chevrolet 4100 cars and a vintage Mercedes Benz. Meela waited patiently in the car for his bride, while people admired the vehicle as they snapped away at the smiling groom.
Guests were greeted with light snacks and juice and old-fashioned home-made ginger beer.
About an hour later, ululation and hooting were heard from an approaching bride’s motorcade, rousing curiosity all round. The bride too arrived in a Chevrolet Impala vintage cabriolet, which parked behind Meela’s.
Meela quickly emerged from his vehicle accompanied by groomsmen and bridesmaid and they made their way to the hall’s neatly decorated lawns. He was dressed in a blinged military style gold-and-white suit often worn by royalty.
Sangweni stepped forward in a beautiful, tight-fitting white gown with a long tail.
An emotional Dlathu, also in a white-and-gold mermaid dress, wiped tears from her eyes as she stood next to her younger sister.
The actress together with many others who included veteran Joe Mafela and
actor Dumisani Dlamini sat quietly throughout the proceedings.
Reverend David Motswene used clean humour in the proceedings, to help everybody, including the couple, to relax.
After the formalities, wine flowed for merrymaking outside the hall.
Meela refused to reveal the spend on the wedding but thanked all those who came.
“Today is not about money. It is about making sure my beautiful wife and children are happy. I have been planning for this day for a long time.
“I want to thank her family for being patient with me and for allowing me to marry their daughter,” he said.
“She is my queen. She comes first and she knows that. I wish God to protect us all the way and ensure that nothing comes between us.”
The couple met 17 years ago in Soweto. Meela said when he first laid his eyes on Sangweni he saw a wife.
“I didn’t waste time and approached her. We started dating. “I remember when she relocated to [work] in the UK I followed her. We are blessed with three children, aged two, six and 10. My wife is a humble person and very respectful.”
Meela added their plans with his wife, who is a nurse, was to expand their business interests.
He owns a pawn shop and sells used cars in Soweto.