BY PHUMZILE NDLOVU
MBABANE – Indvuku lenhle, igawulwa etiveni!
This rings true for Siphamandla Simelane, who met his wife Caitlin Shoemaker (Simelane), all the way from the United States of America (USA), where they were both studying.
The couple met at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, in December 2012. The groom shared with this publication how they met. He said, “We were both a part of the International Students Association and Allies. Caitlin was the president at the time, and I was the vice president. We started dating towards the end of our college career in 2013. It was during a fundraiser that we started chatting and realised we had hearts for others and similar goals in life,” said Simelane.
He went on to share that they had had a long-distance relationship for three years. He proposed to Caitlin in a parking lot, and she said yes. They were officially married in 2017 in Omaha, Nebraska. As an intercultural couple, they have always wanted to celebrate this side of the Atlantic Ocean with the Umtsimba. They understood the power, value, and sense of belonging it provides for Caitlin to become a part of the Simelanes.
The umtsimba ceremony was held at Zombodze Emuva (Nhlangano) on May 4, 2024.
The theme colour was blue.
Groomsmen: Musa Ndzabandzaba, Bongane Simelane, Master Simelane, and Thulani Ndzabandzaba
Bridesmaid: Sydney Joyner
(Photos by Msholozi Communication)
