Some of the streets leading to Thohoyandou Block F were closed off on Saturday, 6 May, when well-known businessman Mr Nnditsheni Matsila and his wife, Mrs Alice Matsila, celebrated their 75th birthdays together.
Hundreds of people, including, family members, friends and community members, gathered at the couple's home in Block F.
Nnditsheni, who owns the Block G business outlet, and Alice were met with loud ululations, while traditional dances, such as the malende and tshigombela, were performed. Some traditional leaders from the area also attended the ceremony and wished the Matsilas many more years to come, so that they could give newlyweds advice on a happy marriage.
Nnditsheni married his Alice back in 1968, and ever since then their marriage has gone from strength to strength, in such a way that many other couples from their community have chosen to emulate them.
"My wife and I have been happily married for almost 55 years. The reason is that we trust each other. Nowadays, young people get married only to separate again a few months later because they don't trust each other. As men, we must also love our wives and be willing to take advice from them. This is the secret for everlasting love, until we are separated by death," said Nnditsheni.
Vhamusanda Mmbangiseni Nemalamangwa, who is one of Nnditsheni's close friends, congratulated the couple on their shared birthday celebration. Nemalamangwa said his friend had taught him a lot about business, and thanks to Nnditsheni's advice, his chicken-breeding business was booming today.
Nemalamangwa, who has known Nnditsheni for many years, since back in the days when they were still working in Johannesburg, said that, over the years, he had witnessed the couple's happy marriage. He said he wanted to follow his friend's example and organise his own celebration with his wife.