"BLACK BULL" WEDS HER QUEEN

By Lesego Tlhwale (BTM Intern)

SOUTH AFRICA – 03 June 2009: In a small ceremony held at St Moses Apostolic Church in Soweto on Sunday 31 May Nkunzi Zandile Nkabinde, a lesbian sangoma from Soweto tied the knot with her partner Johanna Nkabinde in full view of the congregation, family and friends.

The couple got legally married at the home affairs department on Monday 25 May under the Civil Union Act, a procedure which they both agree was smooth.

“Getting papers signed at the home affairs took less than a month and we didn’t go through so much trouble, as the procedures were quick and hustle free”, Nkabinde, affectionately known as the Black Bull said.
 
Talking about her church Nkabinde said “I am proud and fond of my church for seeing the man in me and they are very accommodating and don’t discriminate against gay people.”

The St Moses Apostolic Church is not new to gay marriages as it has married a male gay couple before and according to Reverend Thomas “Biasness should be ruled out because lesbians and gays are human beings created by God out of His image and He never told anyone that being gay is wrong, why should we decide that it is wrong for them?”, Rev Thomas questioned.

Over the moon about the marriage, the bride’s family said it has always been their dream to see their sister get married to someone she loves.

More than anything the bride was proud of taking the Nkabinde’s surname. “I am proud for having my last name changed to Nkabinde as it was always my dream to start a new life on a clean slate,” she said.

The couple met under hardships when they were both in hospital. “At this time I was going through some difficulties in my life but meeting Johanna gave me strengths. She was sent to me by my ancestors, Nkabinde boasted.

The white wedding will follow sometime early next year.

“Zandile Nkuzi Nkabinde is a lesbian sangoma and an Author of her own biography (Black Bull, Ancestors and Me: My Life as a Lesbian Sangoma).”