HIGHLANDERS fans sure know how to party and when they do, they do it in style.
On Christmas Eve, a staunch Bosso fan who never misses his team’s away games, be it league or cup matches, Mpumelelo Nkomazana wedded his longtime sweetheart Zanele Moyo at a flashy ceremony at ZITF in Bulawayo.
About 300 guests, including members of the popular Highlanders’ travelling supporters known as Team Away attended the day-night wedding of Moyo, who hails from Mkhaliphe in Gwanda and Nkomazana of Mawabeni.
United States of America-based footie star Teenage Hadebe led a host of footballers who included Nqobizitha Masuku, Godfrey Makaruse, Bukhosi Zakhu Sibanda and ex-Orlando Pirates youth star Rodi Sibanda.
Hadebe doubled up as the chauffeur for the groom having summoned his South Africa -based brother to drive his immaculate BMW to Zimbabwe, specifically for the wedding.
Renowned poet Obert Dube was the director of ceremonies (MC), while Kaisa Dance Group, Injongosi – The Great Stars serenaded guests with their isichathamiya imbube music.
Bulawayo’s dance group of the moment, Asante Mo who fuse pantsula dance with some drums and percussions lit up the dance floor with their amanyoronyoro-termed moves.
Drama was to start after the paid entertainers moved out of the stage and the MC opened “bids” for the bride and groom to step up to the dance floor and show off their moves.
A guest tabled US$50 for the bride to take to the dance floor which was countered by US$60. The bids went on, with the highest money put on the table being US$250 for the bride to dance and she sure did, showing her nimble-footedness as the stereo belted Banolila by Skuza.
The real bid was that of the groom, Nkomazana, better known as Fah.
It started with R50, countered by R100 and US$10. After that, it became a financial showoff, with US$1 700 raised as friends of Nkomazana managed to defend him from embarrassing himself on the dance floor.
But then drama escalated when Moyo, who kept the guests laughing with his jokes, allowed Highlanders followers to take to the dance floor.
Team Away pulled a surprise, asking the DJ to shut the PA system, reversing into the hall a white-kombi that they use to travel to Highlanders’ games, with Lovemore Majaivana’s Badlala Njani blasting from the car sound system.
As Bosso fans showed off their dance skills, whistling and ululating, Nkomazana rose from his seat to join the merry-team.
“Seeing abalandeli bethimu getting to the dance floor was the most exciting part of our wedding. There were people who put their money and said I mustn’t dance but when Team Away got on the stage, I just couldn’t stop and had to join in and dance,” said Nkomazana.
Speaking on behalf of the footballers at the wedding, Masuku said: “We wish Fah and Zah a blessed union. We’re here as footballers not just to celebrate a Highlanders member or fan’s wedding, but that of a brother. It’s only fair that we reciprocate the support that people like Fah and Zah give to us.” – The Chronicle
