Popular Umkhokha actor Kininonke "Kini" Shandu celebrated his marriage to his new bride Andie Khanyie on Sunday. The former Gagasi FM presenter paid lobola for his sweetheart over a year ago and had umkhehlo (Zulu traditional wedding) in December last year. Shandu had the last leg of his wedding in accordance with the traditions of the Shembe Baptist Church

SYMBOL OF PURITY

During the ceremony called Ukuhlanganisa on Sunday, Shandu's fiancé came dressed in a Zulu beaded skirt and a leopard skin collar with a white dot on her forehead. According to the Shembe church customs, the white dot on the woman's forehead signifies that she is still a virgin. A source who attended the festivities on Sunday, said: "Yes, it is done only at Shembe Church. The white dot on her forehead means that the wife is still a virgin." Ukuhlanganisa was preceded over by the church elders, who were part of the celebrations and blessing of the marriage. 

CONTROVERSY

After paying lobola for his young wife-to-be, Shandu bragged on his Facebook page about securing a virgin from the Shembe Church. That brag opened a floodgate after Shandu criticised women who had children out of wedlock but who were forced to leave children with their families when their mothers got married. There was backlash over that post but Shandu posted an apology on Facebook for his disparaging and degrading remarks. The former TV presenter was forced to resign from his top position at the Sebenza Women Awards. After that incident, Shandu has been mending ways and working on different projects. When Shandu was contacted for comment, he said, "This is it. There won't be a white wedding. It is not my thing. I have done what needed to be done. We are officially married and our marriage was blessed by church leaders and elders. What's more can you ask for?" he said.