Minister of police nabs top CEO

HIS nuptials were celebrated in fine French style, but all Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa needed to bowl over the love of his life was to ask her for a date in Zulu.

The 46-year-old politician yesterday married his longtime girlfriend, National Empowerment Fund CEO Philisiwe Buthelezi, at the Allée Bleue Estate in Franschoek in the Cape winelands .

Buthelezi said in an interview with the couple earlier this week: "He mesmerised me with the way he used to chase after me.

''What was more charming was that he asked me out in Zulu. Like French, Zulu has a very romantic flow."

As the 49-year-old bride walked down the aisle in a beautiful Carolina Herrera gown, her groom could hardly wait to tie the knot.

Mthethwa told the Sunday Times: "I can't wait until we are together and to hold her knowing that it is official. She is mine."

It was love at first sight when the pair first met at an ANC conference four years ago.

Buthelezi lived in France for eight years, so it was no surprise that the couple's wedding theme was a French-style affair.

Guests included President Jacob Zuma, business moguls, Robert Gumede, Patrice Motsepe and ANC deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa as well as soccer boss, Irvin Khoza and Human settlements minister, Tokyo Sexwale.

Wedding planner Christina Holt of Wedding Concepts was roped in to plan the wedding down to the finest detail.

She has coordinated more than 400 weddings, including those of businesswoman Khanyi Dhlomo, Felicia Mabuza-Suttle's daughter Zani and businessman Nwabisa Xayiya.

"We developed the details in keeping with a glamorous Parisian-inspired theme, which is an afternoon outdoor ceremony on the wine estate lawns," said Holt.

More than 500 guests were treated to a variety of canapés from a menu designed by celebrity chef Reuben Riffel and his head chef.

A white marquee was decorated in chartreuse yellow, shades of cream, a dash of gold and a touch of soft pink.

The long banquet tables were decorated with ornately textured gold tablecloths, silver base plates, soft pink glassware and perspex "ghost chairs".

Personalised menus for each guest also provided an intimate touch and the spread included roast sirloin, lamb curry and among other things, a Pistachio lemon polenta cake.