THE city of Bulawayo was painted red and black on Saturday when former Miss Zimbabwe 2005, Lorraine Maphala, tied the knot with her lover of five years — businessman — Sonny Phiri.
Mellisa Mpofu Entertainment Reporter
The evening wedding which was held at the Bulawayo Holiday Inn had a strict guest list and commanded a gathering of just above 200 people including one or two gate crushers.
Besides their family, the list was made up of the who’s who of Zimbabwe socialite including, Sarah Mpofu, Maphala’s modelling mentor, Sipho Mazibuko of the Miss Summer Strides fame, Oslie Muringai (former Miss Zimbabwe) and Tinopona Katsande.
Former Miss Botswana 2005, Lerato Tebogo, also graced the event.
Bulawayo politicians, businessmen and former and current models also made up the guest list.
The bridal party was star studded as it featured former Miss Bulawayo, Sibusisiwe Dube, and popular musician and dancer Sandra Ndebele Sibindi.
Idols East Africa 2008 winner, Eric Moyo provided quality entertainment at the wedding.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Unlike most weddings, people adhered to the dress code as everyone was dressed in black, red and white.
Like true fashionistas, the newlyweds did not disappoint as the bride wore a layered ball gown while the groom did away with the usual suits and wore a unique black and red outfit which made him look like superman, typical of Phiri.
The Phiris indeed tried to be creative at their wedding as Sonny put a bit of humour to the ceremony by doing a prayer in Zulu slang which was further translated by his coloured best man to coloured slang.
People were left in stitches after the prayer.
The hosts of the night also used slang to further entertain guests.
Sarah Mpofu was not to be outdone as she hosted a talk show for the bride and groom which she named, “In depth with Sarah Mpofu”.
She called the bride and groom aside and had a question and answer session with them where she asked them questions about their love life.
She also gave guests an opportunity to ask the newlyweds questions, an opportunity they did not waste with some youths confessing that they used to admire Lorraine.
Asked where the two would be in eight years, Phiri said they probably would have dropped their businesses and ventured into church ministry.
“We are looking at venturing into church ministry, which is in the near future,” he said.
“We will probably leave our business companies and focus more on God’s work. My wife and I have already discussed this and she is fully behind me.”
Mpofu took time to remind Maphala of how she did the country proud when she performed Mirriam Makeba’s click song Igqiha Lendlela at Miss World and made it through to the Miss Talent top three.
Lorraine took people down memory lane when she sang the same song.
Unlike at other weddings, little attention was paid to the gifts as people were told to drop off their presents at the registration point just a few minutes before the wedding ended.
At most local weddings, emphasis is put on the presents as the bride and groom will be trying to recover costs incurred during wedding preparations.
