Olinda set to tie the knot

but also in her social life.
The pencil-slim songstress is set to tie the knot with her long-time lover Michael Ziwenga at what is expected to be a lavish ceremony, whose attendance will include to the Who’s-Who of the gospel music scene – as well as a South African guest artiste.
Michael is a senior operations manager at The Martin Investment, a company that runs restaurants in Westgate.
The wedding is scheduled to take place at Pasimboti Lodge in Hatfield on April 23 and strictly by invitation.
Asked how she feels about getting married, Olinda said she was over the moon.
“Everything is going on well through God’s hands. I’m grateful that God gave me the opportunity to be a wife,” she enthused.
The lovebirds will walk down the aisle and exchange vows after three years of serious dating.
Artistes expected to help the couple celebrate their nuptials include the talented songstress Bethan Pasinawako of “Ndinzverei” fame, her friend, Rumbi Zvirikuzhe who rose to prominence with the song “Uya Mweya Mutsvene”, among others.
“We are still to talk to the Charambas,” said Michael. “But South African gospel musician Ntombosindiso Xhelisilo has confirmed she’ll be there.”
In typical celebrity style – almost rivalling that of Kate Middleton and Prince William, whose bridal apparel has been a matter for speculation for the past two years – our own Olinda will wear two different gowns imported from the United States.
One gown will be worn at the church service while the other, more elegant and loose cut, will be for the reception and the after-party.
“They were brought from the States by our friend Rufaro (Mutare),” said Michael.
The theme colours will be pink and silver while the groom will be donning an all white tuxedo.
That is not all, the wedding cake is said to be something else too – a 10-tier affair for the expected 700 guests to ogle at.
Michael says the venue of the ceremony will depict the mood and colours of the event
“We didn’t want to go to the CBD, but we were trying to work with a different venue that is not normally used for such occasions,” he said.
“The venue can take up to 700 people which we have on our guest list, although we know that some weddings attract different numbers.”
An elated Olinda was brief as she was busy shopping around.
“We are busy running around,” she said.
The 23-year-old musician-cum-journalist – who released her second album “Mufaro Wangu” late last year will team up with her spouse on the wedding day to entertain guests when they do a duet of her popular song “Ndinouya, Baba”.
The song is off her debut album of 2008, “Nyasha”.
According Michael, it was “love at first sight”.
“I just liked her,” he said.
The couple met in 2008 when Michael asked Olinda to be one of his backing vocalists for the single, “Rudo Rwechokwadi”. But later, one thing led to another and it was not long before Michael popped the question.
“Soon after that, we got close and I had to approach her a few days later and we just clicked,” he said.
Olinda, who likes to keep her card close to her chest, could not give the details. But Michael opened up: he said the two have been together “through thick and thin”.
Now that the two will be living together, Michael will soon become Olinda’s manager something that is common among local celebrities.
Other divas whose husbands have been managing their music careers include Plaxedes Wenyika, Fun-gisai Zvakavapano-Masha-vave, Mercy Mutsvene, Amanda Sagonda and Shingisai Suluma to mention but a few.