Abakhapi
(The Wedding Party)
Please meet our wedding party, a group of our friends that we have asked to accompany us as we embark on this exciting journey.
As we have come to learn, no one can embark on any meaningful voyage successfully without help. Umntu,ngumntu ngabantu is a defining and widely known expression of Nguni society. It has been truly brought to life through this experience. Our friends have gotten stuck in and rolled up their sleeves in support of our families, to make this wedding a success. We are eternally grateful to have abakhaphi abathembekayo (friends in deed).
Sidebar: Ukukhapha is one of the most common physical manifestations of Ubuntu in practice, applied in so many aspects of life. We were charmed at the well expressed manner that young writer, Milisuthando Bongela, put it in her Mail & Gardian article recently. Let’s hope more of us start to talk with pride about the many great wisdoms of African Culture.
Kele Boakgomo
Matron of Honour
Friend Since: 2007
Wedding Role: Executive Producer
Oversees the process of bringing the wedding vision to life.
Our Friendship
I met Kele while working in a consulting firm. She is an irresistable energy, with a crazy sense of humour and zest for life. Over the years we have travelled the world together, built businesses and shared many wonderful personal milestones.
What I love about her is her fierceness: in the way she loves, commits in all aspects of her life and stands by you as a friend and sister.
What you will love about her is that she is sure to get you onto the dance floor at the wedding, making the event memorable with her infectious passion!
Boitumelo Sebambo
Sous Chef
Friend Since: 2004
Wedding Role: uSisi weCatering
Does the things that make for the pots to be there. Oversees the cullinary experience.
Our Friendship
Met in my first year of work, at a consulting firm. She struck me back then…with her urban socialization and confidence to easily command her space in this global firm….different to the somewhat conservative EC born and bred girl.
What I love about her is her deep connection and care for the African agenda. She has been a great teacher to me, exposing me to literature and experiences that have spurred me on my own journey into self-discovery.
What you will love about her infectious laugh. Tumi manages to keep a light-heartedness about life…that always helps you to see the bright side of any situation.
Nthlatje Mpeta
Chief of Staff
Friend Since: 2001
Wedding Role: uSisi weOrganisation
Key liaison with wedding planning team to ensure the production is seamless & excellent.
Our Friendship
I found her quite an enigma, even to this day…oddly so as we have built and maintained a very close friendship, over almost 20 years..The accuracy and inaccuracy of my Seshotho/Sepedi command is partially owed to her.
What I love about her is sense her of purpose: in her family, her work and everything she touches. She is a lady and loyal friend and one of the most resilient people I know. I am also eternally gratefull for all the times that she gathered us as friends, post a night of “celebration” – and led us to productivity the next day….oh to be young.
What you will love about her…you will not see it…. or know it… but know – how the day will run, will be thanks to her …operating in the background.
Keitumetse Koboekae
Fashion Editor
Friend Since: 2001
Wedding Role: Style Icon and Fashion Consultant
Our style icon and fashion consultant to the families. Ensures everyone remains presentable during the wedding.
Our Friendship
Met first year in University. My goodness was she full of life…making sure we didn’t miss out on any campus actvitities. Ever stylish and generous enough to lend us her clothes…
What I love about her is her committment to family – being a real example and teacher. I love that she is ever evolving and growing and being the best version of herself, at the different stages of life…whilst making it all look so easy and stylish.
What you will love about her, is that she is an absolute sweetheart. You’ll find her very easy to hang with and dare I say, also quite the dancefloor enthusiast.
Thobela Mbuya
The Fixer
Friend Since: 2016
Wedding Role: The Gel
The glue and the connector. Keeps the bridal party on track and in check through the process.
Our Friendship
Met whilst working in a multi-geography, Emerging Markets team. We found each other and connected immediately and easily connected in a light hearted and deep level all at the same time.
What I love about her is her carefree spirit. Truly liberated! Comfortable in her skin, in her life choices and the pace of life. She loves deeply and is very authentic. She has a very special place in my heart, as the person who brought me to my soon to be husband.
What you will love about her is that you will party really hard with her through all the celebrations. “Kuzoba Lit”
Tshili Matlala
Copywriter
Friend Since: 2004
Wedding Role: uBae weDry-Run
Makes sure all content is prepared on time and delivered with excellence
Our Friendship
Met her through a friend, over what was meant to be a day visit to my humble abode, that lasted the whole weekend, seeing this new friend only emerge on a Sunday. Such was the connection with this dear friend of mine.
What I love about her is her depth and how she lives and experiences this life with the highest level of consciousness. She is curious…sharing this curiousity with me and opening my mind and world views.
What you will love about her is that …you will probably leave the wedding having made a new friend.
Bexta Ndabalime
Best Man
Friend Since: 1996
Weddig Role: Chief Host & Linguist
Not like the movie… Chief Host & Linguist, creates the magic in the experience.
Our Friendship
I met Bexta when we sat together at “The Front Row Club” in high school. It formed the beginning of a wonderful friendship on the bedrock of our love for music and a relentless zest for life.
What I love about Bexta is his enigmatic free spirit that helped me to discover my own voice, from the shy timid teenager to an often boisterous version me of today. His candid disposition has acted as my most valued source of conscientious reflection, to this day encapsulated in a real talk concept we coined “Four Walls”. Some of the interventions literally have shaped the course of my life.
What you will love about Bexta is the way he can turn any situation into a fun, enjoyable occasion for everyone around him (without even trying).
Thato Mahapa
Chief of Entertainment
Friend Since: 1999
Wedding Role: King of the STEP
Gets the party started, and keeps it going, throughout the journey. King of the STEP.
Our Friendship
We were on house committee together at Glendower Residence. With Thato in charge of entertainment and myself as Treasurer, it was a recipe for… yes, you guessed it, delight. We did such a good job of making our residence well known for the quality of entertainment and good life (in general), a partnership that has continued into grown life.
What I love about Thato is that with him I can always be reminded that life is short and we need to live it well, sparing no seconds. We attempt to live life to the full, exploring the wonders of this world, and this shared passion fuels us and hopefully inspires others around us too.
What you will love about Thato is that he is such a ball of fun. So obsessed in fact with a good life, that he might often ‘put his foot in his mouth’ leaving those who don’t know him well shocked. Most of us are very used to it, and we allow it because the underlying principle is quite noble; a relentless pursuit for happiness.
Tino Murira
Chief Logistics Officer
Friend Since: 2000
Wedding Role: The Action Man..Organisor
The Go-to-guy, when there is a problem to be solved.
Our Friendship
Tino has loved calling himself my younger brother ever since we were on campus, not realising that for so many things in life I actually look up to him. Particularly in the area of marriage, and fatherhood, an area where he has led the pack.
What I love about Tino is his reliability and ability to solve just about any problem, anytime. Usually whenever I say ‘I know a guy’… I mean Tino.
What you will love about Tino is how he can relate with anyone, from child to grandparent alike, and how he doesn’t think twice about serving others. I suspect he’ll be your go-to guy for anything once you know him.
Qiniso Mbuya
The Liquid Scientist
Friend Since: 1996
Wedding Role: uBra-Bobby….the Original Moreki.
Delivers an overflowing drinks experience for all guests.
Our Friendship
Our mothers were in school together. Then jikijiki we are in the same high school. Then, One-Two, One-Two, we end up in the same university. Our friendship was a matter of destiny. And we have since created a tale of all kinds of great experiences, often linked to the full enjoyment of life and it’s many pleasures.
What I love about Bobby is that he is a truly loyal friend. He has come through for me often when it matters most; when I really need a friend who’s got my back.
What you will love about Bobby is how he accepts everyone for who they are, and the ease with which he is able to blend with with people from all walks of life.
Nkanyiso Ndlovu
Keeper of the Crown
Friend Since: 1996
Wedding Role: The Family Consigliere
Ensures the needs of the delegation of elders are prioritised and well taken care of.
Our Friendship
Our friendship created such close bonds we brought even our families together (siblings and mothers alike). Though not often getting the chance to see each other, I never doubt that I always have a buddy to have a deep heart to heart conversation with.
What I love about Nkanyiso is his ability to inspire sincerity in any conversation by being a truly genuine guy himself. The same sincerity helped me to get a wife because he was the first friend I introduced to her. When she returned, I had earned a lot of points purely based on the company I keep.
What you will love about Nkanyiso is that he is a man with a great heart, a natural desire to listen, and an uncanny ability to free people to reveal their authentic selves.
Mutsai Musa
Director of Photography
Friend Since: 2001
Wedding Role: The Silent Witness
Immortalises the experience, capturing special moments and overseeing the filming.
Our Friendship
Since the days we were together at UCT, Muts and I have grown a friendship-turned-brotherhood grounded on a sense of mutual admiration. Mostly because of how differently we are wired. Like his ability to make technology work and how it has helped me in my personal work and even in our shared business life together.
What I love about Muts is that he is the definition of an all-round good guy. So I’m always happy to have a good round of golf with a fiercely competitive but genuinely honourable person.
What you will love about Muts is that he’s a true sport. Always game to participate in a good idea (or crazy one). And when he is game, you know you’ve got an ally to go to battle with – come what may.
