Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2006. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Sunday Times (Johannesburg) - March 5, 2006
Charles Molele, Johannesburg
Mandla Mandela and his wife Thando hosted high-profile guests, including President Thabo Mbeki, and hundreds of villagers when they tied the knot at one of a series of colourful wedding ceremonies during a two-day celebration at the Mandela homestead at Qunu in the Eastern Cape last weekend.
Speaking at his reception, Mandla, clutching his weeping 27-year-old bride's hand, told the 800 guests that Aids had killed both his and his wife's parents.
"My parents, Makgatho and Joyce Zondi Mandela, died of Aids," said Mandla. "But I also want to tell you that my wife Thando's parents died of the disease as well."
Mandla told the guests that he met Thando at a difficult time in her life.
The couple met five years ago in Johannesburg. In 2002, her 55-year old mother, Yolisa Mabunu, died of Aids-related complications. Two years later her 56-year-old father, Mpumelelo Mabunu, also died of the disease.
"In both cases I was there to support and comfort her," he said.
The two-day event included a formal wedding ceremony on Saturday, followed by a traditional function for hundreds of local villagers on Sunday.
Traffic on the N2, which passes the homestead's gates, came to a halt as motorists tried to catch a glimpse of the couple or Nelson Mandela.
Thando, who had chosen her three sisters as her bridesmaids, wore a flowing white gown created by Johannesburg designer Andre Croucamp.
Mandla was flanked by his close friend, Craig Moffat, and his three brothers - Andile, Ndaba and Mbuso.
The guests were treated to a meal by Mthatha chef Allen Paul, who prepared a variety of seafood dishes, including crayfish, calamari and prawns. Beef Stroganoff and a spit braai of pork, lamb and chicken were also on the menu.
The couple are expected to find time in their busy schedules to escape on a honeymoon only during the Easter holidays.
Mandla is studying politics at Rhodes University in Grahamstown, and Thando works at South African Airways as a service quality auditor .
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