Makhabane wows wedding guests

being best friends with the bridegroom.
But if that artiste is Sipho Makhabane, then the story becomes even more incredible and interesting.
Such was the scenario on Sunday when the award winning and celebrated Makhabane, Buhle of the “Handidzokere Shure” fame, Themba and Silo were in the capital for the wedding of their Zimbabwean friend, Thulani Mazengwe, who exchanged vows with Talent Rupapa.
Mazengwe is a businessman based in South Africa who runs an electrical firm.
Makhabane, together with his friends and his band, the Bigfish, led the singing procession from the church in the afternoon and right through into the night at the reception.
Thapelo Makgato wowed the crowd when he soulfully sang as the bride made her entrance into the Chisipite Zaoga Church.
Buhle reminded guests of the “Nguva Yakwana” days when she would come to Zimbabwe to sing with Ivy Kombo when she sang “Simudza Maoko Ako” as the night wedding party reception at Pabani in Umwinisdale was reminiscent of celebrity occasions.
The night was full of pomp and fanfare as a long convoy of sleek GP number plate vehicles literally closed Enterprise Road, passed Chisipite shops, and into Umwinisdale Drive.
Among the fleet were Makhabane’s five posh cars – a Jaguar with a personalised number plate of the singer’s music company – Bigfish – to BMWs and a Discovery 4.
Several domestic workers who were coming from their offday in the affluent suburb could have thought that they were in Sandton or Hyde Park as the cars and Toyota Quantum minibuses with South African num-ber plates made their presence in the normally quiet suburb..
But more surprises awaited the guests who on turning into the drive saw big signage on trees with Thulani and Talent’s picture directing them to the reception area a few kilometres away.
Makhabane entertained the guests as they enjoyed their meal and sang “Ebenezer”, which is Thulani’s favourite track.
In his speech, Makhabane urged his friend to embrace marriage and complement his partner.
“I am here to witness Thulani’s wedding as a friend. Thulani is a great man and I have known him for about 15 years. We have been friends for a long time now. There were a lot of challenges in our lives but we overcame them and I am happy to be here today.
“And I would like to say as your friends, we have travelled all the way from South Africa to come and witness this wonderful day.
“Talent is a lucky woman. I know Thulani as a friend. Both of you are coming from different directions and backgrounds and you have to try your level best to complement each other. I want both of you to know where you stand now as a couple,” said Makhabane.
The celebrated singer, who is now more into production, was later joined by the couple on the podium and together sang the couple’s favourite song.
But the wedding was not only blessed by the holy singing as Leonard Dembo’s sons put the icing on the cake belting two hit songs by their late father.
They sang “Chitekete” and “Venenzia” and the Dembo siblings showed that they have what it takes to keep alive their father’s legacy.
The bride’s brother brought the Dembos as a surprise act to the newly weds and the couple and their guests danced to the yesteryear hits.