Inside Melissa Nayimuli and Mandla N's intimate lobola celebration
Melissa Nayimuli and Mandla N celebrated their lobola in an intimate ceremony in the Eastern Cape.
Image: Instagram/ @melissanayimuli
Congratulations are in order for Miss Universe SA 2025, Melissa Nayimuli who recently gave fans a glimpse into her lobola celebration.
The beauty queen shared a series of pictures from her special day which took place at her hometown in Buttersworth, Eastern Cape, along with her partner Mandla Ngcongwane also known as Mandla N.
“Chosi Chosi….❤️🐄🙏🏾😍. We are still feeling so overwhelmed with the love and support we’ve received from our families 😭 What a blessed day! So happy, so in love😍❤️🙏🏾,”she captioned her post.
The 30-year-old looked stunning in a beautiful dress that seamlessly blends African heritage with modern style, designed by Stephen Van Eeden and it features a fitted bodice with a peplum flare. While the bottom of the dress is a voluminous skirt.
She paired the dress with a white t-shirt and a matching headwrap, which brides-to-be usually wear during the lobola negotiations to symbolise respect, modesty and cultural identity.
While her husband-to-be wore a coordinated black outfit, with a black jacket and hat, which in most cases is a sign of respect to the bride’s family.
In December 2025, the couple announced the news of their engagement in Thailand shortly after the Miss Universe competition concluded after Nayimuli represented SA although she did not make it to the top 30.
The engagement took place at the picturesque Garrya Tongsai Bay Samui, located on the secluded northeast coast of Koh Samui, Thailand.
According to online reports, the Black Brain Pictures founder and the Miss SA 2023 contestant have been together for a couple of years now, however they confirmed their relationship after making their first public appearance in 2023 at the Saftas.
The couple was flooded with congratulatory messages as they embark on a new chapter of their relationship.
“I must also become a pageant queen cause clearly it comes with marriage, congratulations Mel,” @thandeka_anne jokingly shared.
“Congratulations!! Wishing you prosperity and blessings to the both of you,” @damatria.n commented.
@masemola_za added: “Congratulations to you both, you look stunning.”