Thousands turn out for Royal wedding

Published Jul 3, 2005

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Rags to riches complete with a royal wedding. Such is the story behind Saturday's glittering wedding ceremony in Pietermaritzburg of Dr Seshi Chonco and Princess Nombuso Zulu, the 32-year-old daughter of King Goodwill Zwelithini and Queen Sibongile ka Dlamini.

Top South African businessmen, renowned academics and leading politicians were among the more than 800 guests inside. Among them were Blessed Gwala, Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Ziba Jiyane and Mike Mabuyakhulu.

While nuptials were read in Pietermaritzburg's Cathedral of the Holy Nativity by the Bishop Suffragan of Natal, Funginkosi Mbhele, hundreds of well wishers thronged the capital's Chapel Street where two giant screens televised the ceremony.

Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town Njongonkulu Ndungane sent his greetings to the couple.

Having started off his working life as a gardener, and having been expelled from a high school, Chonco's career is a success story of note, and his love affair, a royal matter worth more than 117 cows.

Compliments of a philanthropist, Chonco was able to register at the University of Zululand (Ongoye) for a degree in law and economics in 1979.

On completing his degree he was awarded a Fullbright scholarship and did honours at the University of California in the US before returning to Ongoye for a Ph.D.

After lecturing at the University of California, Michigan State University and several South African universities, Chonco began work in the corporate sector, advising on issues such as corporate visions and business strategy.

He has served as managing director of the state-owned arms manufacturer, Denel, general manager at Sasol and an executive director of Caltex Oil.

He is now a director of Sethaba Holdings with BEE interest in various companies including TEC Electrical and Roman Protection Solutions, a business acquisitions company.

Chonco met Nombuso at a function in Durban in 2002. Nombuso is also a businesswoman and owns a catering company.

It was love at first sight, they told the Tribune this week.

Negotiating lobola last year, Chonco sent his best men and friends, KwaZulu-Natal minister for housing, local government and traditional affairs Mike Mabuyakhulu, provincial Constitutional Judge President Vuka Tshabalala and Inkatha Freedom Party chairperson Ziba Jiyane to negotiate. 117 cows were offered.

This week three teams from Durban, Cape Town and the Zulu royal household co-ordinated the final wedding preparations, starting with a traditional dowry ceremony (umbondo) at the groom's home in Ashdown near Pietermaritzburg on Thursday.

The neglected township, where Chonco once smoked dagga and drank alcohol as a teenager, came alive this week as "the boy from humble beginnings" returned home.

Festivities continue throughout the weekend culminating in tomorrow's traditional Zulu wedding.

After Saturday's wedding service in the Anglican cathedral, guests feasted on a finger lunch, before heading to an expansive reception for 1 000 family members and friends at Durban's International Convention Centre.

Former deputy-president Jacob Zuma, deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and president Thabo Mbeki could not attend the wedding as they were busy with the ANC NGC, presidential spokesperson Bheki Khumalo said on Saturday.

However, both Zuma and Mlambo-Ngcuka were expected to attend the ICC function on Saturday night.

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