Online Reporter
Mkhululi Ncube, [email protected]
FIVE decades after they first said “I do”, Mehluli “MJ” Dube and his wife, Sihle, renewed their wedding vows in a heartfelt ceremony attended by children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, relatives and friends at their home in Gongwe Village, Gwanda District.
The celebration was filled with laughter, song and emotion as the couple marked 50 years of marriage surrounded by the family they have built together over the years.
One moment that captured the spirit of the day came when the couple sat side by side on a brand-new double bed presented to them by their four children. Smiling at each other, they shared a lollipop, drawing cheers and laughter from guests who had gathered to witness the occasion.
many in attendance, it felt less like a golden wedding anniversary and more like a wedding day all over again.
At 73, Mehluli walked proudly towards the ceremony accompanied by his only son, Mthungameli. Dressed in an emerald-green double-breasted suit, white shirt and matching tie, he was greeted with applause from family members, neighbours and friends.
Sihle (70) looked radiant in a flowing white gown and veil as she was escorted by the couple’s three daughters — Sincedweyinkosi, Sichazelwe and Sinolwazi.
With grandchildren and great-grandchildren forming part of the bridal party, the ceremony became a celebration not only of a marriage but of a family legacy spanning generations.
The event was organised by the couple’s children, who wanted to honour the journey their parents have shared.
Their daughter, Sichazelwe Dube, said the family felt the milestone deserved special recognition.
“We have always celebrated our parents’ birthdays, especially the milestone years. In 2021, we almost lost our father after he became seriously ill, but God intervened. That experience made us realise we needed to celebrate their love story when they reached 50 years of marriage,” she said.
For Mehluli, a retired employee of a local pharmaceutical company, expressing love and appreciation for his wife has never been something to be embarrassed about. Those who knew the couple during their years in Entumbane suburb in Bulawayo remember them as devoted partners who stood by each other through life’s challenges.
Sihle described reaching their 50th wedding anniversary as a blessing she never took for granted.
“It is a miracle. I never imagined we would reach this point. I see God’s love in everything,” she said.
Like any couple, she said, they have faced difficult moments during their marriage. What helped them endure was their commitment to resolving disagreements through open conversation.
“Like every couple, we faced challenges, but we never allowed a day to end without talking through our differences. Asilali sizondelene. We discuss our problems until we find a solution.”
According to Sihle, they have never relied on relatives or community elders to settle disputes.
“We solve our problems by talking to each other. Prayer has also carried us through many difficult moments,” she said.
As dedicated members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Dubes have become respected marriage counsellors in their community, often advising younger couples on how to build lasting relationships.
Drawing from her own experience, Sihle believes many marriages run into trouble when trust breaks down and couples stop making time for one another.
“There is no successful marriage without love, trust and intimacy. Couples must make time for one another because neglect often creates room for temptation,” she said.
Looking back on their wedding in Nkayi in 1976, Mehluli smiled as he recalled the bride price negotiations.
“I never paid ukangaziwe, sivula mlomo or many of the charges men are expected to pay today. My father-in-law was a religious man. He said he only wanted the bride price mentioned in the Bible,” he said.
Asked about the secret behind 50 years of marriage, Mehluli did not hesitate.
“Marriage is God’s institution. There will always be bumps along the way, but communication is everything. We are honest with each other. No one keeps problems bottled up. Faithfulness and being content with the partner you chose are equally important.”
Even after half-a-century together, the couple say they still look forward to spending more years by each other’s side.
“We still want to fulfil the promise we made on our wedding day, which is that only death will separate us. We hope our children and grandchildren will follow our example. They should learn from us while we are still here, just as we continue learning from them,” said Mehluli.
As the celebrations came to an end, guests left with more than memories of a colourful ceremony. They left with a lesson from a couple whose marriage has lasted 50 years — that love, faith, patience and honest communication remain the foundations of a lasting relationship.
derick.khumalo