By Albertina Nakale
WINDHOEK- President-elect Hage Geingob and his businesswoman fiancée Monica Kalondo have confirmed their wedding will take place on Saturday, Valentine’s Day.
This, after confirmation that the incoming president has obliged with the traditional requirements of lobola. Kalondo confirmed she received cattle as is custom, but refused to divulge the quantity of lifestock.
When asked about the venue, Kalondo replied: “Unfortunately we cannot disclose the venue due to security reasons and to ensure maximum privacy.”
But, she said, it will be a normal traditional wedding.
“We confirm that our wedding will take place on the 14th of February. It would give us great pleasure to celebrate this special day with our vast network of family, comrades and friends but this is unfortunately not practical,” she confirmed.
When asked who are some of the prominent invited guests, she also refused to divulge anything, saying: “Due to privacy and security reasons, we unfortunately cannot disclose any details of invited guests.”
Kalondo was also asked specifically whether she has received any cattle or sheep as donations as per the Oshiwambo tradition and how many, to which she replied: “As with any wedding, traditional gifts in the form of cattle have been received. For privacy reasons, further details will not be disclosed.”
Further, she explained that the challenges of formulating a guest list which truly reflects “our extensive support system of those who have played a role in our personal and professional lives has been provided with a specific form of access identification as entry will be strictly controlled.”
According to the couple, there are many pressing matters competing for their attention in the first quarter of 2015 and they have been compelled to make sacrifices to ensure that their focus on national issues is not diverted.
“The response to our relationship has been heart-warming and we appreciate all the love and support we have been given and we wish to sincerely apologise to anyone who may be affected by our decision as it is not our intention to offend or exclude … but we believe that a wedding celebration with a large number of guests would not correctly reflect our priorities,” the statement reads.
She thanked everyone for their continued love and well wishes.
“We will continue to rely on your prayers. We wish to further thank the media who have understood that this aspect of our relationship is private and have treated it as such, which we sincerely appreciate,” she acknowledged.