Our Perfect Wedding

Family and friends share their joy and wishes as Nomsa Buthelezi weds her ladylove at her childhood home.

- Boitumelo Matshaba

THE streets of Gomorrah in Alexandra, Johannesburg, are bustling with curious onlookers. Everyone has their phones out, ready to capture the special moments.

Today one of their own, Nomsa Buthelezi, weds the woman of her dreams, Zandile Shezi.

The former Our Perfect Wedding presenter looks breathtaking on her big day.

Nomsa (37) is wearing a printed wrap dress with a headband as she waits for her wife to arrive. Friends and family ululate as she stands in front of the gate of her childhood home, watching Zandile (33) and her entourage approach as they sing traditional Zulu songs. The Shezi family has brought gifts to exchange with the Buthelezi clan as part of the members.

Zandile looks sharp in black pants and a crisp, white shirt. Nomsa keeps her gaze downcast as a sign of respect for her in-laws as the families stand on opposite sides of the gate, waiting for permission to enter. The Buthelezi's welcome the Shezis into their yard and the visitors hand over a sheep in appreciation of the union.

With this, the two families become one. The couple wanted to stick to tradition as far as possible, Nomsa later tells us. Her father, Vezi Milton Buthelezi (60), asked the actress if she wanted to have her wedding at a different venue, but she refused because she has nothing to hide and is proud of her childhood roots.

His daughter’s wedding makes him think about Nomsa’s high school days. “When Nomsa was in Grade 8 she wanted to join the debating team, which was only for the matric students,” Vezi says.

“She asked me to help her join the team. Her reasons were solid enough for me to approach the teacher who was heading this activity, and I was able to convince the teacher to change his mind.

“Nomsa fights for what she wants and commits to what she believes in.”