| The Ndebele wedding is celebrated in three | | | | Food is bought and cooked the traditional way this |
| stages, this can take several years. The first | | | | will include 'mielie pap' (traditional maize meal) meat |
| stage is Labola for the bride; this is paid in | | | | and salads, fruit, sweets and cake are served as |
| instalments of both money and livestock. The | | | | dessert on the day. |
| second stage is a two-week sequestration of the | | | | The official ceremony will take place in a church, |
| bride during which time other women teach the | | | | family members will be present for this so that |
| bride how to be a good wife and the third stage | | | | they can witness the couple saying their wedding |
| is completed when the bride has her first child. | | | | vows and the placing of rings on each others |
| The groom to be sends a letter to the bride's | | | | fingers. After the church ceremony the couple will |
| family to request a date for the Labola | | | | change into traditional clothes and go with the |
| negotiation. He then has to purchase a sheep; | | | | guests to the girls home to eat. After they have |
| some blankets, a broom and a few clothes for | | | | finished to eat the couple will sit at a table, which |
| the girl's family. The grooms parents then visit the | | | | has been especially decorated for them. Everyone |
| brides parents and pay the Labola, after this they | | | | present will talk to the couple and give them gifts. |
| take the girl to the boys family to get to know | | | | The groom will then thank the guests where |
| him and his family. | | | | after they will go to his home. The oldest boy in |
| Preparation for the wedding day will include writing | | | | the family will be there together with all the |
| up a guest list and sending out of the invitations, | | | | parents and grand-parents to give the girl an |
| this happen two weeks before the wedding day. | | | | Ndebele name. |