South African media personality Anele Mdoda is known for her sharp wit, vibrant personality and ability to thrive in the spotlight, but when it came to her love life, she kept things refreshingly private.
In 2025, Mdoda’s journey into married life became noting short of a national talking point, not only for its romance but also for her mindful celebration of Xhosa traditions.
As we step into 2026, Mdoda has finally confirmed what many had been speculating for months: she is officially married!
The beloved broadcaster recently reintroduced herself on Instagram as Mthawelanga, a proud makoti (new bride), sharing photos of herself adorned in traditional Xhosa attire.
April 2025: The first hint of marriage
For years, Mdoda’s personal life has been a subject of great curiosity, but the 947 radio presenter has become a master of keeping her love life private.
Earlier in 2025, the spotlight turned firmly onto Mdoda and her partner, an accomplished lawyer and AbaThembu prince, as rumours of a private wedding swirled across social media.
Photos emerged from what appeared to be a stunning traditional Xhosa ceremony in Cape Town, with Mdoda draped in umbhaco (traditional Xhosa fabric) and intricate beadwork that paid homage to their heritage.
Guests, also dressed in traditional attire, gathered in what appeared to be a celebration of love and unity.
Many people thought the beautiful Cape Town ceremony in April was their actual wedding.
However, Mdoda later clarified on her radio show that this wasn’t the wedding many assumed it to be.
Instead, it was the final stage of lobola negotiations, a deeply significant Xhosa custom that cements the union between two families and often marks the couple as married under customary law.
November 2025: The Stellenbosch secret
The next chapter in this love story came in November 2025, when rumours began swirling about a possible private wedding in Stellenbosch.
Social media was abuzz with speculation, but the couple remained tight-lipped. Reports hinted that the event was a luxurious, intimate affair, with no phones, no social media posts and no media, just love, family and tradition wrapped in secrecy.
Soon after, Mdoda took to Instagram to share photos from her honeymoon in Switzerland.
The picturesque alpine backdrops and cosy moments with James added fuel to the fire, but still, no formal confirmation of their marriage came from the star herself.
@fashionforceafrica Anele Mdoda marries royal lawyer Bonelela ‘Buzza’ James in a stunning Xhosa-modern ceremony. Love, culture, and legacy all in one unforgettable day. #Southafrica #southafricatiktok🇿🇦 #tiktoksouthafrica🇿🇦🇿🇦 #FYI #fyp #AneleMdoda #XhosaRoyalWedding #AneleAndBuzza #SAWeddings #CelebrityWedding #AbaThembuRoyalty #XhosaBride #LoveAndTradition #MzansiCelebs #WeddingInspo #AfricanElegance #southafrica #southafrica #tiktoksouthafrica #southafricatiktok🇿🇦 ♬ original sound – Fashion Force Africa
January 2026: The confirmation
Finally, as 2026 began, Mdoda gave her fans the clarity they had been waiting for.
Taking to Instagram, she posted a carousel of photos of herself fulfilling her makoti duties in the Eastern Cape.
In the images, she wore traditional ikhetshemiya (a headscarf) and amadakhi (a decorative apron), serving tea to her new family with grace and poise. Her caption was simple yet powerful:
“My name is Mthawelanga, lovely to meet you,” she captioned the post.
View this post on Instagram
This official reintroduction marked the first time Mdoda publicly confirmed her marriage, bringing an end to months of speculation.
Her new name, Mthawelanga Mgudlwa, was given to her by her in-laws as a symbol of her new identity.
In Xhosa culture, it is customary for a bride to receive a new name after marriage, signifying her integration into her husband’s family.
Mthawelanga, which loosely translates to “sunshine” or “ray of light”, is a name that carries deep cultural significance.
It’s a name that perfectly encapsulates her vibrant personality and her journey into this new chapter of life.
Mdoda’s transition into her role as a makoti has been a journey of cultural pride.
In Xhosa tradition, a newlywed bride enters a period of transition, during which she learns the customs and expectations of her husband’s family.
This includes wearing traditional attire, such as the ikhetshemiya and amadakhi, as a sign of respect and unity.
This period of adjustment varies by family but can last anywhere from a few months to a year or more.
During this time, the makoti is expected to honor her new family through acts of service, such as preparing meals or participating in rituals. It’s a deeply meaningful process that emphasises the importance of family, humility and tradition.
Her partner, Bonelela “Buzza” James, is equally rooted in tradition.
As an AbaThembu royal and accomplished legal professional, he represents the perfect blend of cultural pride and modern achievement.
Together, the couple has shown that privacy is not only possible in the public eye but also deeply rewarding.
The truth lives somewhere between tradition and choice, between what was celebrated in April and what may have happened in Stellenbosch. But as per the Instagram confirmation, congratulations to Sisi’omtsha to the Abathembu clan!
