The maskandi music scene is buzzing with excitement as legendary artist Ali Mgube has finally taken the plunge and married his long-time love, Thobisile Ngubane.
The couple, who have been together for a quarter of a century, are set to celebrate their union with a grand traditional wedding on Saturday, 21 September, at Ali's home in eMatimatolo, KwaZulu-Natal.
The 51-year-old musician, known for his soulful voice and captivating performances, has been a mainstay in the maskandi industry for over 24 years. He is the leader and founder of the renowned groups AmaSAP and 10111 Omaqondana, and also enjoys a successful solo career under the moniker "Igeza lakwaMgube".
Ali's wedding is set to be a star-studded affair, with a host of top maskandi stars gracing the occasion as his groomsmen. The guest list includes Mthandeni Manqele, Ntencane, and Shwi, among others.
The "Uyangizonda" hitmaker shared his joy and gratitude for Thobisile's unwavering support throughout their journey together.
"She has patiently been with me through thick and thin. I’m a lucky man to get someone who loves me the way she does," he said.
"When I met her, I was like the one who didn't have a home. She allowed me to build my home first and started doing all things before we get married."
Ali explained that he took his time to ensure a strong foundation for their marriage.
"I took 25 years to fix all my problems, including building my home and doing other things that needed my attention. I paid lobola for her a long time ago, and I'm thankful she didn’t put me under pressure to marry her. She was with me all the time," he added.
The wedding festivities will continue on Sunday, 22 September, with another traditional wedding taking place in the maskandi world. Khuzani's dancer, Thibela, will also be tying the knot at his home in Nkandla.
Ali expressed his best wishes to Thibela and commended him for taking the step towards marriage. "I like what Thibela is doing because these days young boys don’t think of getting married even though they are financially stable," he said.
