By GUGULETHU MHLONGO
Trend setters and fashionistas, Sthandiwe Magubane, Zee Msweli, Yamkela Sibiya, Nokwanda Ncama and Rethabile Mlambo of the Nazareth Baptist Church, eBuhleni. Say that their past mistakes were only lessons that have readied them for their lives and individual journey’s ahead.
Stha, fondly known to her fans as, Short Berry. Is a qualified and seasoned fashion designer. Alongside her youngest sister, Sane. Zee, is the Founder of an NPO, known as, Miss KZN Queen with an advocacy in mental health. She founded the NPO after having lost a close friend to suicide.
Yamkela, is currently doing her internship training at the Office of the Premier in KwaZulu-Natal. She recently graduated with an honours degree from the University of South Africa (UNISA), in Psychologist. Rethabile, studied a Bachelar of Arts in History and English at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Currently, she is a self-taught beautician and a small beauty business owner in Richards Bay. She provides her clients with makeup, hair styling and nails art services. Nokwanda Ncama, works as a switchboard operator for the Department of Transport in KwaZulu-Natal. She holds an, Office Administration certificate from Damelin.
Speaking to us at Idlozi Magazines, the ladies said that they were raised under the Nazareth Baptist Church’s guidance. They grew up as Amakhosazane, which are pure maidens or girls and women of all ages who are virgins. However, their journey’s lead them to paths where they left ubukhosazane. Intethelelo yoNyazi or Izintombi zentethelelo, are girls and women who partake in sexual activity before marriage. This means that they are no longer ‘pure’ and they sit amongst
Photo: (left – right): Short Berry, Nokwah, Zee Msweli, Rethabile ‘MaMlambo’
middle, Yamkela.
Photo: Give Thanks Communications (Mfundo)
Makeup: Gleaming Beauty & Beyond (Nonjabulo)
married women at church. They also go from attending the monthly ‘25 wamakhosazane’ to the ‘u14′ . Also known as isifungo. Isifungo so mama, is a monthly gathering or meeting that young maidens, wives and men of the Nazareth Baptist Church attend. Here, they receive guidance on leading God-fearing, pure lives. They are taught to be honest, prayerful, clean and well mannered. Intethelelo yoNyazi, are women who are not married and are no longer virgins, this is regardless of whether they have birthed children or not. The word, ‘intethelelo’, means forgiveness. Hence their title. Once a young woman moves from being Inkosazane to becoming Intombi yentethelelo. She then has to undergo a cleansing. Here a goat is used to cleanse the Amakhosazane, of the Temple she attended on Saturday’s know as, Isabatha. She also cleanses her home, for having brought ‘shame’ to her family. After which, she can then return to attending church at any temple. She will now sit amongst ‘omama’ this is where all the married women or women who are no longer virgins sit in each Temple.
In the podcast interview, the ladies were open on what lead them to the path of leaving ubukhosazane and becoming, ‘Intethelelo’. As well as the ceremonies or rituals that follow when a girl loses their virginity before marriage. However, the strong message they shared with our readers and viewers, was very touching. Sthandiwe, said that, “a lot of us after leaving Amakhosazane stay at home because of embarrasment and not wanting to bring shame to our
Wardrobe Check:
Nokwanda; Ihiya by Isikhumane Fashion Design. Accessories and Doek by Zizikaz.
Zee; Ihiya by Sne Mahlomu
Yamkela; Ihiya by Moosa, Doek by Amahle, Accessories from Mr. Price
Rethabile; Ihiya by MaYaka Buthelezi. Boek by SOH COUTURE
Sthandiwe; Ihiya by Berry Designs, Accessories by maka Lafezo, Doek by Zizikazi
parents.” She further explained that, once inkosazane loses her virginity. She may no longer wear the white veil, known as ‘inansuka’ or ‘ukumboza inansuka’. Inansuka covers inkosazane’s face and most of her body. Once she becomes ‘intombi yentethelelo’, she wears a white headwrap that symbolises that she is an unmarried mother. Nokwanda added saying, “we encourage all the young ladies who are no longer pure maidens to not bare the shame of their past mistakes. Life goes on. There is life after becoming, ‘Intombi yentethelelo.” Rethabile, said that when she lost her virginity, she did not conceive. A lot of young women stay with Amakhosazane if they had not conceived after being sexually active before marriage. ‘Ukuphuka’, losing your virginity even without conceiving still makes you Intombi yentethelelo. Once a young woman loses her purity, she then has to follow the customs of the church and has to respect these customs. She said, “when I lost my virginity, I performed all the rituals to cleanse the Temple, Amakhosazane and my home. I advise all those ‘abaphukile’ still sitting amongst Amakhosazane to do the same.” Sthandiwe, concluded saying, “Once you’ve lost your virginity, instead of contemplating going back to sit with Amakhosazane. Allow yourself time for introspection and to think of how or what you can do to keep going in life. Mistakes happen and life goes on. Take your time, then do the necessary and come back to Church.” “UShembe usithanda sonke”, “Shembe, loves us all”. A lot of young women make the mistake of immediately going back to church after having interacted in sexual activity before marriage. Emotionally, you need to be ready for being judged. Most become bitter and project their hate, anger and disappointment onto others. Emotional readiness is very important. It is as important as going back to church.