Cele says ‘I do’ in style

General Bheki Cele and Thembeka Ngcobo's wedding has been billed as the country's wedding of the year. Photo: Paballo Thekiso

General Bheki Cele and Thembeka Ngcobo's wedding has been billed as the country's wedding of the year. Photo: Paballo Thekiso

Published Oct 2, 2010

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NONDUMISO MBUYAZI

Durban deputy mayor Logie Naidoo has billed national police commissioner General Bheki Cele’s nuptials to Thembeka Ngcobo today as the country’s wedding of the year.

Cele, 58, was set to tie the knot with his 32-year-old Durban sweetheart at an extravagant, exclusive function at a South Coast resort.

The couple, who met last year at Premier Zweli Mkhize’s inauguration dinner, were to exchange their vows in front of 300 guests at the historic Lynton Hall in Pennington.

Cele, who seems to have a fondness for women with the surname Ngcobo, has been married before. He divorced his first wife Thanda Ngcobo several years ago and has been romantically linked to two other Ngcobos.

He reportedly dated former continuity presenter Zama Ngcobo and had a long-term relationship with Bongiwe Ngcobo.

The wedding was due to be attended by the crème de la crème of South African society, including political bigwigs, business people and socialites.

President Jacob Zuma, soccer boss Irvin Khoza, Justice Minister Jeff Radebe and his wife Bridgette, Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa, Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale and Durban business couple Sbu and Shauwn Mpisane were some of the expected guests.

The festivities were to start at the bride’s home in Nyadezulu, on the South Coast, where a traditional ceremony was to take place before the “white wedding”.

Cele’s spokeswoman, Nonkululeko Mbatha, yesterday said everything was in place for the high-profile event. “There will be very strict access to the wedding as it is a private family function and it won’t be open to the public,” she said.

When contacted for comment, a man who identified himself as the manager of the exclusive hotel said: “I’m sorry but I have strict instructions not to divulge information about the wedding.”

Cele was this week quoted by a newspaper as saying he knew Ngcobo was “the one” the minute he laid eyes on her. He said her grace and inner beauty – not to mention her outer beauty – were difficult to resist.

Cele said he would surprise Ngcobo, who works in Tshwane as a Metrorail communication officer, by taking her on honeymoon to a secret destination.

With fashion the order of the day, deputy mayor Naidoo, who like Cele is known for his flamboyant fashion sense, said he would be dressed to the nines. He was to be attired in a stylish gold suit, complete with matching hat.

“This wedding will definitely be the wedding of the year and I have to look the part,” he said.

Naidoo wished the new couple a blissful marriage. “May they live happily ever after and may all their dreams and wishes come true,” he said.

Award-winning chef Andrew Draper, who has cooked for high-profile people like Nelson Mandela and the late Princess Diana, handled the catering at the elaborate affair.

Guests were to be entertained by gospel group iThemba, with DJs Muntu, Siyanda and Happy Girl ensuring that the dancefloor rocks all night.

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