Limpopo - The weddings bells are ringing for
Julius Malema.
Sorry, all interested women! The EFF commander-in-chief has been taken.
Malema tie the knot in the coming weeks in a
traditional ceremony in Seshego, his hometown
outside Polokwane.
The woman who stole Malema’s heart is
Mantwa Matlala.
She comes from his neighbourhood. But, unlike
her future husband, who constantly hogs the
headlines, Matlala has been described as a
strictly private person by those who know her.
“She is not in politics. Their relationship dates
back to the time when she was at Capricorn
High School,” said an impeccable source.
Matlala is said to be an accountant, working for
a company in Joburg.
The two families have reportedly agreed to
keep the wedding ceremony a private affair
until the big day.
“The wedding is likely to be on the weekend of
December 27 and 28. It’s certainly going to be
after Christmas,” said the source.
The two would not talk about their nuptials
when they were contacted for comment on
Wednesday.
Malema said: “I don’t know that. Every
December, (people) say I am about to get
married.”
His bride-to-be was equally cagey when asked
if she was prepared to confirm speculation of
her marriage to Malema.
“I am not. I am currently at work and am in the
middle of something,” said Matlala, politely
asking to end the conversation.
But sources close to the lovebirds and almost
all their neighbours are awaiting their big day.
The Star visited Malema’s neighbourhood on
Wednesday and found the wedding to be a
much-talked-about affair.
“Malema’s wedding? Yes, they came to inform
us about it, their house is there,” said an elderly
woman, pointing The Star towards the double-
storey house that belongs to Malema’s
grandmother.
Another neighbour said the EFF leader’s family
have asked the residents living nearby for
permission to erect a marquee on the street on
the day of the wedding.
“We have signed the petition already. We all
agree that he can cordon off the street, it’s a
big day for him,” said a neighbour, who asked
not to be named.
Malema’s wife-to-be is not the mother of his
8-year-old son, Ratanang.
“No, it’s not that one. He is marrying one of the
girls from Shoprite,” said another neighbour.
Matlala’s family house is known among the
locals as “Shoprite” because it’s arguably the
most beautiful home in the area.
The pavement outside Matlala’s house has
been painted in bright colours.
Her neighbours confirmed the wedding, saying
they had also signed the petition to allow her
family to erect a marquee on the street during
the ceremony.