By Celani Sikhakhane
There was love in the air at Durban’s Shembe Church during its annual July gathering, as hundreds of single moms stepped forward, eager to embrace polygamous marriages and a fresh start.
The real surprise to many in the church was that it was young single guys, not married men, who thronged the scene, ready to couple up with these fierce and fabulous women known as Intethelelo.
Empowered and resolute, these women found solace within the church, embracing their pasts while embracing a future with new partners. And these are not all women seeking the financial support of a working spouse; with luxury cars and booming careers, some of them are models of financial independence!
Shembe Baptist Church’s spokesperson, Reverend Thokozani Mncwabe, passionately expressed the church’s belief that every woman deserves a second chance at love and happiness.
Mncwabe emphasised the importance of men treating their wives with respect and care, encouraging open communication and financial transparency.
“We don’t isolate these women because they still have a right to be chosen. But the process is different from that of the virgins.
“When they get chosen their wedding ceremony does not take place in the church. Those who were chosen by their new partners will complete their wedding process at home,” said Mncwabe.
The church was buzzing with excitement as about 3,000 virgins, chosen last year, tied the knot during this year’s closing ceremony of the July Sacred gathering.
Others picked this year will embark on their journey to marriage next year at the July gathering.
The eBuhleni faction leader, Mduduzi Nyazi LweZulu Shembe, took the opportunity to baptise numerous new members of the church, young and old, on the last day of the gathering.
As the event wrapped up, the streets were filled with a traffic jam of cars, stretching from eBuhleni to different parts of Durban.
Pictured above: Some of the Shembe Baptist Church women called Intethelelo because they birthed babies before marriage.
Image source: Facebook
