adminBongani Ndlovu Saturday Leisure Correspondent
IN the picturesque location of Matopos National Park, where towering mountains mingle with the fauna creating a backdrop of breath-taking beauty, weddings are increasingly being held. It is a human trait to strive to create beauty but for nature, being beautiful is effortless. Imagine combining nature’s effortless beauty and countless hours of decorating for a wedding.
This was the theatre where Bulawayo property magnate and businessman Amos Ncube, 53 married his sweetheart Noma Ndlovu, 29, on the shores of the scenic Maleme Dams deep in the Matopos National Park last Saturday.
The venue of the wedding was chosen with the eye of a land developer spotting prime property. Matopos National Park that houses Rhodes’ grave and has the following attractions, game viewing, hiking, fishing, boat and horse back riding, was surprisingly left out of the itinerary of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly held in August.
Matopos National Park has over eight campsites with various lodges for accommodation. The wedding brought together friends and family and the weather did not disappoint.
The wedding procession comprised immaculately dressed bridesmaids. They were draped in multi-coloured attire that blended green, blue, pink and orange into the lush greenery of natural vegetation.
The wedding started at 2pm with the groom leading the procession. The bride arrived shortly afterwards with her entourage, amid ululations and cheers from the guests at the venue.
With the mountains in the background of the wedding creating a story-book setting, guests pulled out their iphones, ipads and phones to capture the moment.
Reverend Geoffery Bizeni Mkhwanazi of the Assemblies of God was the marriage officer, giving life lessons from his many years of experience in the Christian faith.
An elated Ncube could not hide his joy after his wedding and said: “The Lord has been good to us by making this day possible.”
Ncube said he met his bride at church in 2011 and it hit him a year ago that she was meant to be his life partner.
“I am a widower and she is a divorcee and our experiences in life brought us together. At first I didn’t see myself married, but it just hit me that she is the one for me,” said Ncube who owns Land and Buildings Centre.
Praise poet Dumisani Mhlanga gave an ode praising the bride as she appeared. Dressed in traditional regalia with his knobkerrie, he jumped up and down at the same time chanting superlatives coupled with her totems.
Music was provided by a live band, Afro-Fresh Jazz Band. Afro-Fresh Jazz Band is a nine member group made up of students from the National University of Science and Technology.
The group thrilled the audience with its exquisite jazz flair which could rival any established musical outfit. The group is made up of Tsepo Ndlovu, Emmanuel Gordon, Triphine Ncube, Nqobile Bhehane, Sanelisiwe Ntini, Blessing Guveya, Makabongwe Ncube and Namatai Ndlovu.
Online Reporter