For Mpho Tshabalala, the memory of 24 December 2003 remains as vivid as ever. On that day, she found herself at the center of an unexpected and impromptu wedding to her then-boyfriend, the late kwaito star Mandoza. He caught her off guard while she was getting her hair braided in Pimville, Soweto, heavily pregnant and unaware of the plans unfolding around her. “It’s time to go and get married,” he announced, and in that moment, everything changed.
What followed was a whirlwind that Mpho still recalls with amazement. “I was shocked because I didn’t know what he was talking about. But it turns out the elders in our family thought a Christmas wedding would be perfect for us,” Mpho shared. The couple made their way home, where both families had gathered. A table was set up with papers to sign, and before she knew it, Mpho was married—wearing hot pants and borrowing a skirt from Mandoza’s sister. “It was a small ceremony, but I realised that the most amazing things are in the small moments. He was actually more excited than I was,” Mpho laughed.
Their marriage was formalized that day, but they later celebrated with a larger wedding in May 2004. Despite Mpho’s wish for a grand venue, Mandoza insisted on a more personal celebration. “He loved the idea of a wedding held at home, where everyone from the community could join in. So, we had our wedding at his house, and we even blocked the street to make it feel more festive. It was so special,” she said.
As the couple would have celebrated their 21st wedding anniversary in 2024, Mpho reflected on how much she had cherished their time together. “We would’ve thrown a huge party at a stadium to mark that milestone. I didn’t even realise how much time had passed until now,” she admitted. But despite the absence of a large-scale celebration, Mpho and her children plan to honour the anniversary in a more intimate way.
“We’ve recently moved into our new home, and all Mduduzi’s things are still here. I’ll never get married again, so we decided to celebrate his life and our love for him,” she said. The family will gather at home to remember Mandoza, playing his music and reflecting on the joy he brought to their lives. Mandoza, who tragically passed away from brain cancer in 2016 at the age of 38, continues to hold a special place in their hearts, and Mpho remains determined to keep his memory alive with every anniversary that passes.
