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| Newly weds, HRH Unathi Phathuxolo Mtirara & Nonhlanhla Yende |
We recently had an opportunity to hear more about the
wedding from His Royal Highness.:
XC: For those who don’t know who His Royal Highness Unathi
Phathuxolo Mtirara is, can you please tell us who he is?
HRH: I am the great grandson of the late Regent
King of AbaThembu, regent King Jogintaba, i was born and grew up in the village
of Mqhekezweni just outside Mthatha, the first born of the last born of Chief
Justice Zwelivumile’s children. I am the founder (along with my wife) and CEO
of Opera South Africa which we founded 2 years ago.
XC: Just to step back in history a bit, could you please
enlighten us so as to how you relate to the revered Regents, Regent King Jongintaba
Dalindyebo Mtirara, Inkosi Bambilanga Mtirara and King Sabatha Jonguhlanga
Dalindyebo?
HRH: Regent King
Jongintaba is my Great Grand Father, Inkosi Bambilanga and King Sabatha
Dalindyebo are his brothers’ sons that makes them my grand uncles
XC: Why do you think it’s important for Xhosa people to
practice their culture in the 21st century, especially as it relates
to marriage and family life?
HRH: As the young African
generation (even more with us Xhosa’s) we tend to follow the western traditions
when we do things. This leaves our cultures and traditions not relevant to us
and we end up undermining who we are as the people. I think it’s more important
to keep reminding us who we are, what our forefathers did, celebrate the beauty
of our culture, our food and all.
XC: Could you please tell us how you met your wife?
HRH: We met in 2003 when we used to sing for
community choirs, we grew close and became friends for about 5 years. In 2007 I
was working for a company at the State Theatre. There was a position available
and I needed someone to assist me with the project so she was a perfect
candidate as she had the qualifications and the interest in music. As time went
on, life circumstances pushed us together and we started dating in 2008.
XC: These days, Xhosa people (and African people in general)
tend to prefer a western wedding instead of a traditional Xhosa wedding. Why
did you decide to do a traditional Xhosa wedding? Or perhaps did you do both as
is the norm in certain instances.
HRH: As I have said earlier, we decided to do
the traditional wedding because our generation is not that interested in
following our culture and that according to me threatens our culture and the
existence of Xhosa people. We wanted to show not only our guests, but the
world, the beauty of the Xhosa culture, our clothing and way of life. As
decedents of the Thembu Royal Family, we wanted to be in touch with our people
with what they know best (culture). As they say, its every little girls dream
(white wedding), we will still do it maybe at a later stage, we just wanted to
celebrate our cultures first before going to other peoples’ cultures.
XC: So, what inspired the bride’s beautiful dress?
HRH: Umbhaco is our
traditional Xhosa dress for women. I consulted the best people in the village to
make the original dress along with its beads. As we welcome her to the Royal
Family, she will have a lot of events that she will have to attend and for me
it’s very important that she attends them in our traditional dress code.
XC: What advice would you like to give to those who are
still looking for a wife… what are some of the important characteristics and
qualities of a wife, especially as we celebrate Valentines’ day?
HRH: Simple, don’t look for a wife, look for a
partner. Someone who will compliment you, someone who will be your friend, and
someone you can easily share all your problems and she can be also be able to
do same with you. Then a wife will just come out of her on its own.
XC: Thank you for
your time!!!
