eputypresidentkgalemamotlantheandhis long time partner, gugu mtshali, finally tied the knot in a colourful traditional ceremony in pietermaritzburg this past weekend. the pair were married at mtshali’s home in imbali township on saturday. leaked pictures of the happy couple singing and dancing followed by crowds made it into the witness on monday, following the ceremony that seemed to have escaped the glare of the media. a jovial sounding mtshali told the witness that as per tradition, she cannot speak about the matter. “but i can confirm that there was a traditional ceremony. it was just about bringing together the two families -- my family and that of baba kgalema.” asked about how she was feeling after the ceremony following the long--term courtship, mtshali who said she was still in pietermaritzburg on monday -- said, “as you can hear, i am laughing, but that is all i am saying. no comment my brother.” asked what future family plans were in the pipeline,shewasalsocoy,sayingthatwasallinthefuture and people should just keep watch. last year, motlanthe and mtshali appeared to be heading for the altar. while attending the funeral of mtshali’s father awell--knownimbaliresident,solomongayimkhize (77) who was fondly known by locals as “khehla” motlanthe was asked by the witness if marriage was on the cards. he replied, “it is heading that way.” a guest at the event, who declined to be named, said she was honoured to have been part of the ceremony. “on saturday, under the beautiful clear skies on the hills of imbali a special event was taking place ... hundreds of guests came to partake in this traditional wedding of gugu and kgalema.” “thetraditionallyattiredgroomwassymbolically washed by the bride. a bed was also prepared for the groom to lie on. kgalema reassured the family that he will take good care of gugu. i was honoured to be a guest at such auspicious occasion,” she said.