They have been secretly dating for two years. On the day of their photoshoot for the upcoming single titled Ngenelela set to be released on 3 December. Maskandi artist and Ukhozi FM presenter Phumlani "Imfez'emnyama' Khumalo proposed to his partner, MC, and content creator Sabelo 'Ntombeningi' Sithole. ?

THE ENGAGEMENT?

The proposal came as a surprise for Ntombeningi. "I didn't know he was planning to propose,' she tells ZiMoja. "I thought it was a photo shoot for the single we will be promoting soon. When I arrived, he went on one knee and asked me to marry him,' she says. "The thought of how he orchestrated everything makes me blush,' he adds. Ntombeningi and Imfez'emnyama started sating in 2020. "We became close in 2018 and we were good friends. It was in 2020 that we decided to give it a shot and we started dating and everything was official.' But to protect the relationship they kept it a secret from many people. "We kept the relationship a secret to protect our careers. I am Zulu, we come from a village, a very rural place. He is a well-respected Maskandi artist and for him to come out this way in an industry with so much discrimination is the first. It is still hard to change people's mindsets about the LGBTQI community. So, I respect his bravery so much.' Ntombeningi loves Imfez'emnyama for his kindness and generosity. "His personality is amazing. I could not believe that indodayomZulu ingabanothando kanje (A Zulu man can be so loving). He has an amazing sense of humour. He is understanding and takes care of me,' she says. Ntombening respects, how he was unapologetic about his love for her. "He has been a man; he is standing his ground. It had been the most amazing journey and his standing firmly for the relationship is commendable. He is changing the face of Amabhinca.'

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LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE?

Ntombeningi says she is already being asked by fans and some are making deregulatory comments. "We are expecting both negative and positive comments. But nothing is going to change how we feel about each other,' she says. Ntombeningi says she was accepted by her family a long time ago and no negative comments from strangers can cause harm. "I come from a place where being in the LGBTQI community was seen as ihlazo ( a disgrace). Yes, things have changed, but we still have a long way to go,' she says. "At some stage in my life, I had to flee from home because my family was afraid, I would be harmed by people who didn't understand me. But my dad loved me and accepted me a long time ago. Ntombeningi says they will start planning the wedding next year and she would love to have kids of her own. "I am already expected by my family to have kids. I was accepted by my family from a young age. My late dad would say 'uyintombazana yami' (You're my little girl). So, we are definitely going to have kids of our own in the future. We are so grateful for the love and support we are receiving. Especially from people in the Maskandi music space, like Big Zulu and Ntaba Yase Dubai who have called to congratulate us.?

THEY HAVE BIG PLANS TOGETHER

Ntombeningi says,the year 2023 will start on a high as they prepare for their wedding and promote their single Ngenelela. "We are looking forward to the song, Ngenelela,' she says. "I wrote the song to urge God to intervene in the thing happening in the world today such as GBV, children being abused and kidnapped. It is us asking for God for his divine intervention.' She says, it is their first single together, but more will be coming. "It's the first but there is more. There is a lot in the pipeline. We will also be shooting the music video and collaborating with brands who love the idea of an LGBTQI couple in the Maskandi community, something that they have never seen before, so genuine and pure. We are both believers in God and our ancestors and we know that our union is for a reason.'