The Lakeside Venue

Wedding Day

Wedding Talk

Reception

Our Wedding

Anele: Our story is proof that the best relationships are built on a strong foundation—ours started with friendship. The location? Congregation meetings! As kids, we would cross paths because our grandmothers were in the same congregation in Durban. Wandile liked me even back then, but I wasn’t paying much (read: any) attention to boys at the time. Wandile: can I interject there, from my side, every time I would visit Durban, my gran was quite specific in her commendation of the Madondo twins. She would often mention how spiritually mature they were but never failed to mention specifically Anele. I acted as if I wasn't paying attention but we all know grans know best... Anele: Fast forward to 2017 when I was enrolled at UCT - I was attending my first convention in Cape Town and looking for a convention badge for my best friend, Liya, so she could scan into the stadium. Little did I know, Wandile was assigned to the badge counter! When I saw him, I couldn’t help but exclaim, “Wandile!”, excited to see a familiar face in unfamiliar territory! Wandile: To be honest, I had already noticed her but didn’t greet as I was worried that she wouldn’t remember me, after all I was just a guy with glasses, who could hardly speak any Zulu, not memorable at all. Anele: Lol I did remember him. After that encounter, he slid into my DMs on Instagram. But, focused on my studies and him eventually having left Cape Town for Bethel, I responded occasionally — leaving him in the DMs for a year (I know, its a long time, in my defense, I kept responding in the course of that year because our conversations were so light and easy to hold. I knew that I at least would love to keep him as friend because he was so funny and cool lol). Wandile: Nah, she stuck around because she liked me but Rome was never built in one day so I continued in my pursuits. Anele: His persistence paid off, though, and he eventually graduated to WhatsApp.It wasn’t just his persistence that won me over. I fell in love with his humor, his selflessness, and the way he put Jehovah first in everything he did. He wasn’t trying to be someone he wasn’t just to impress me, and that authenticity touched my heart. Wandile: Honestly, some love stories take time to unfold, and ours began with a childhood connection that grew into something beautiful.The time it took to get her number helped me to learn so much about her, as much as it took weeks for her responses, I looked forward to them, like a letter from a distant friend. She made it so easy for me to be my goofy self yet at the same time being able to share spiritual gems after morning worship or from my bible reading. What made her special was how Proverbs 31 was so organic to her nature, it was no pretense or show, but rather someone who had a heartfelt love for Jehovah, beautiful both inside and out. Anele: So we eventually started dating (we honestly don't know when it happened lol but we definitely agree that we only properly started courting in 2021, when both of us were in Johannesburg). Wandile: We were friends for a looong time before courting. We weren’t in the same city and both had busy schedules, but we kept in touch and got to know each other deeply. That foundation of friendship is what makes our relationship so strong today—we truly know and understand each other. Anele: After countless dates and many beautiful memories - on July 20, 2024, during a gorgeous sunset by Harties Dam, Wandile asked me to marry him. Knowing my love for all things water—lakes, dams, oceans—it was the most thoughtful and magical moment. He even threw me off the trail by making up a story about a cruise! Now, we’re getting married by a lake on April 24, 2025. It feels like the perfect chapter in the most beautiful love story we know. We can’t wait to celebrate this day with all of you!

Our Story

Photos

I’d add his full name but the website limits the amount of characters entered here😅. Although myself and my siblings have a big age gap between each other, you put us in a room together and you’d probably think I’m the 2nd born, the way we get along. A lot of things we have in common other than having the same parents, like his great taste in music but also a lot of things I’ve learned from him too.  My younger brother is also my older brother in many ways so he’ll be there to pull me in line at times. 

Langelihle Sibisi 

Meet my twin sister—my partner in crime, my built-in best friend, and the one who’s been by my side through every laugh, tear, and questionable decision (we’ve had plenty).
From sharing childhood memories (which includes us disliking boys and saying we’ll never get married 🙃) to navigating adulthood, she has been my rock!
I am grateful to have her by my side in as I change my last name, and I can’t imagine anyone else better suited as my right hand. 
I know she will bring her love and infectious energy to every moment of our celebration.

Andile Twala 

Meet my bridesmaid and uni best friend —Liyabona, or as I affectionately call her, Asa (and no, this is not her second name, if you’re lucky you’ll get the story behind why we call each other Asa😅).
We met in varsity, bonded over late-night study sessions, questionable dining hall food, and a shared love for spontaneous adventures.

She has been there for every post exam meltdown (and life in general😅) and has been a real friend through it all, always there with support, kindness, and lots of words of wisdom. 
Our bond has only deepened over the years, and I can't wait for her to stand by my side as I say “I do”.

Liyabona Zembe 

Wedding Party

Here is some inspiration for our black tie formal theme. Note the guest theme colour - black.

Q&A - What to wear

Travel

Things to Do

Registry

Wandile & Anele

Wandile & Anele

W&A