Dream honeymoon holidays for Bona, Simba – Rome Burns

via Dream honeymoon holidays for Bona, Simba | The Herald March 3, 2014 by Linda Muriro

Two honeymoon packages, local and international, have been lined up for Simba and Bona Chikore, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi revealed yesterday. Minister Mzembi said the packages were gifts from him, his wife, staff and the ZimbabweTourism Authority (ZTA) with the assistance of the minister’s counterpart from the Seychelles, Mr Alain St Ange.
The minister said the two offers remained open given that the couple likely had other plans for their honeymoon.

“I negotiated with the government of Seychelles about four months ago on the honeymoon trip for the couple and my counterpart from Seychelles Mr Ange finally came through on Friday morning with the bouquet. The bouquet includes six nights and seven days at two of Seychelles’ most luxurious resorts,” he said.

The other package includes four days and three nights at a resort in Gonarezhou, Pamushana.
“I am not sure whether they will make this (the Seychelles trip) their main honeymoon. I’m sure they had made other arrangements so this offer is valid from the 1st of March to the 31st of December this year,” the minister said.

The Seychelles government offered full board – bed, breakfast, lunch, supper and all activities – for the couple’s seven-day stay at the exotic destination, along with their accompanying party.

The ZTA will facilitate travel arrangements.

They should have considered a local honeymoon safari outfitter.

The Seychelles are a group of islands off Africa’s southeastern coast on the Indian Ocean. It is one of the world’s top tourist destinations, endowed with coral beaches, wildlife and other natural attractions.

“In the spirit of promoting local tourism we then also added a trip to Pamushana in Gonarezhou to the cocktail,” Minister Mzembi added.
Pamushana Resort was host to international pop superstar Shakira when she visited Zimbabwe ahead of the FIFA World Cup, which was hosted by South Africa in 2010.

Simba and Bona Chikore exchanged vows at a colourful ceremony witnessed by more than 4 000 guests, who included Heads of State and Government, diplomats, cabinet ministers, church leaders and other VVIPs.

Couples held hands lovingly during the solemnisation ceremony, which elicited much goodwill as the newly weds exchanged words of affection on national TV.

Guests were ferried to the venue by shuttle buses from Heritage School and were received by security personnel at the gates who did not dampen spirits through vigorous searches.

Although thorough, the security officers were swift, dispelling any preconceived notions that guests were in for a rough exprience.
From the gates, guests were assisted by smartly dressed ushers in black uniforms and satin scarfs to a bar at the open reception area.

Stools there were covered in white linen under Zimbrellas (mini tents), with guests sipping beverages and chatting while they waited for official proceedings to begin.

Zimbabwe’s wedding of the year was as elegant as could be expected, and guests were dressed for the ocassion.
The men largely went for black three-pieces and tuxedos, while the ladies looked splendid in dresses accessorised with imaginative headgear befitting an A-list event.

Prominent religious leader Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa was as slick as always in a grey slim-fit suit, and former Central Bank Governor Dr Gideon Gono shone in a black tuxedo.

Minister Mzembi, another dapper dresser, said he bought his waistcoat “in France for the occasion” while his suit was by an “Italian designer.”

From the bar area, guests walked down a red carpet to the main platform where the official ceremony took place in huge tents with white drapes fused with different shades of purple and dotted with chiavari chairs.

The belle of the ball arrived in a silver-top Rolls Royce accompanied by her parents, who were in the imposing Zim 1 Mercedes-Benz. It was as majestic an arrival as warranted the day.

The bride was resplendent as she walked down the aisle in an elegant white-beaded gown and a flowing train.
After the ceremony, guests moved to another high-pitched tent illuminated with chandeliers and fairylights.

 

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