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Zondwa Mandela and the love of his life spent the last two years planning their perfect day and last Sunday, the two finally made it official and tied the knot in a traditional ceremony.

Mandela, who is the grandson of former president Nelson Mandela, finally spoke about his big day this week.

Love was in the air in Qunu when Mandela and SABC television producer Lindo Zici wed in a lavish traditional wedding held at his grandfather's home.

“The feeling is indescribable. We’ve been planning this for close to two years now and it required family consultation. Our grandparents – Madiba, mama Winnie [Madikizela-Mandela] and mama Graca [Machel] – were an integral part of that journey,” an upbeat Mandela said.

The 27-year-old is the eldest son of Madiba and Madikizela-Mandela’s daughter, Zindzi.

The Mandela s gave Lindo the new marriage name of Nondzolo. Giving a bride a new name is part of the Xhosa culture to install her as a new family member. Her in-laws will call her by that new name.

The Mandelas were not the only ones celebrating an addition to their family.

Deputy Communications Minister Stella Ndabeni and Bantu Bam, son of the late Land Claims Court Judge President Fikile Bam, also said “I do” to their respective partners.

Both Mandela and Bam chose to do a traditional wedding as part of celebrating their respective cultures.

Mandela said that he and Zici have been together for four years now and the timing could not have been more perfect.

“My wife has been the perfect contributor to our family. She is supportive, nurturing and warm, strong, loyal, kind and just a lovely, loving human being.”

The newlyweds have two children together – 2-year-old Zazi and 11-month-old Ziwelene.

Mandela’s 28-year-old wife is from Hillcrest in Mthatha.

Speaking about their wedding, he said it was important for them to go the traditional route.

“I asked Lindo if it was okay to engage her family on my intentions and from that point we adhered to the relevant traditional protocols,” Mandela said.

The couple have decided to have a white wedding in February next year.

Bam married Nthabiseng Kubheka in Ngcobo at the weekend. The couple has two children.

Bam and his wife said that the aim of the traditional-style wedding was to highlight the appreciation of preserving the way in which Xhosa culture carried out wedding proceedings.

“Last year, both my father and my close uncle died, but this year I am celebrating. It would have been incredible if they were here to witness the wedding. Both played a pivotal role in my life,” Bam said.

The deputy minister wed Thato Abrahams at Dan’s Country Lodge outside Mthatha. As with Mandela’s wedding, media was not allowed.

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MZANSI STYLE: Click here to visit Sowetan Weddings

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Comments

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Thu Jun 20 13:06:37 SAST 2013 ::

Sep 28, 2012

Intomb'omxhosa

Nondzolo??? whooow!!!!
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Sep 28, 2012

VENDALIOUS

now here goes our tax money.
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Sep 28, 2012

Mellow

Congra to the both you hope you will never take your vows for granted
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Sep 28, 2012

SWEETYK

GONGRATS
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Sep 28, 2012

DJ-Winner

If this was a Zulu thing, people would be whining about tax by now...Even Sowetan would be whining. There is tomuch tribalism in this country...
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Sep 28, 2012

Mellow

@Lerato LMAO so according to you just because they have 2 kids already means they married? Next thing you gonna say for 2 yrs pls lets not excite all those women who arent even proposed yet but have kids with their spouses cause they will want to change their surnames and use their partners surnames claming to be married because of kids

Newlywed means exactly that
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Sep 28, 2012

Kgaitsedi-ya-Genaro

Part ya tax ya rona e contributile mo lenyalong le.
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Sep 28, 2012

MGEEZ

@Sowetan
The 27-year-old is the eldest son of Madiba and Madikizela-Mandela’s daughter, Zindzi.
The Mandela s gave Lindo the new marriage name of Nondzolo. Giving a bride a new name is part of the Xhosa culture to install her as a new family member. Her in-laws will call her by that new name.
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You guys are feeding us nonsense here on this article. This boy is not a Mandela to begin with!!! Why did he assume his mother surname (Zindzi)? Did she produce this boy by herself? If not; my understanding is that in the same culture that they claim to be practising above; this boy should have be taken home and fulfil certain cultural rituals to assume the surname of his Father from who's loins he proceeded forth.
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Sep 28, 2012

skwamasamabele

2 children?? did he sired them himself? or someone has been giving his missus a good seeing to. Aparrently all Mandela boys are infertile
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Sep 28, 2012

uMnuz

Love them... Think they're a lovely family... Very natural and they look happy, next time more photo,s.
Congrats to you both, hope your life will be full of happiness.

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