THREATS of legal action and an emotional protest by Zulu maidens did not stop Ukhozi FM DJ Khathide "Tshatha" Ngobe from marrying his long-time sweetheart yesterday.

Ngobe and Nontobeko Khuzwayo exchanged vows after his former lover, Zathaba Nzuza, agreed to withdraw her bid for a court interdict to stop the wedding in favour of an out-of-court settlement.

But while finishing touches were being made to the wedding venue - the up-market eBandla Hotel in Ballito, north of Durban - Nzuza and other Zulu maidens marched to the SABC offices in Durban, which houses the Ukhozi FM studios.

Nzuza claims she met Ngobe at the annual Reed Dance in 2008 and gave up her virginity when he promised to marry her.

Yesterday the Zulu maidens called on the SABC to ban Ngobe from attending future Reed Dances because they claimed he took advantage of "young maidens".

The protest did not mar the wedding and the couple were the picture of happiness in the hotel's gardens.

Afterwards the bride, dressed in a strapless, gleaming white dress, and her groom in a grey tailored suit, sat on golden thrones before more than 100 guests, including Durban's new mayor, James Nxumalo.

A menu of leg of pork with apple sauce, rosemary roasted chicken and a desserts of Black Forest cake and malva pudding were served to guests on tables laden with white, gold and silver tablecloths.

The white five-tier wedding cake with, delicate patterns of silver and gold icing, complimented the couple.

Ngobe and his wife are expected to go to Mauritius for their honeymoon.