“Shembe Must Be in Jail”: SA Feels Sorry for Hysterical Zulu Bride Getting Married
- A young Zulu bride’s emotional TikTok video sparked outrage as viewers misinterpreted her tears, leading to intense backlash
- South Africans criticized the Shembe Church, questioning its role in marriages after the video went viral
- Zulu community members defended their traditions against growing social media criticism, urging respect for their beliefs
A Zulu woman shared her wedding footage online, unintentionally sparking controversy. The young lady's behaviour outraged many South Africans, who ridiculed her beliefs.
Source: TikTok
SA feels sorry for young Zulu bride
A young South African lady, Snenhle, shared some of her wedding content on her TikTok page on Tuesday, 3 June. The new Makoti unintentionally brought unwanted attention to herself after posting an emotional video of herself during a traditional ceremony.
People thought that she was being forced into an arranged marriage by her church, and many stood up on her behalf. The comments section was filled with South Africans who ridiculed Snenhle’s beliefs and blamed the Shembe Church for what looked like a miserable experience.
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People online called for the founder of the church to face punishment for marrying off young women to older men. The narrative upset many people who shared their thoughts in a thread of comments.
In another video, Snenhle expressed her happiness about getting married to a man who looked as young as she was. She captioned the clip:
“The fact that I was crying is news to me.”
Watch the viral TikTok video below:
Mzansi disgusted by the Shembe Church
Social media users shared their thoughts on the Zulu culture and the Shembe Church in a thread of comments. But Zulu people also fought back and defended their beliefs in the comments section after social media users bashed the event and their church.
Source: TikTok
@nomthandazojade11 wrote:
“Haibo, these are not tears of joy.”
@Bongie_Masindane asked:
“Didn't they say no one forced them? What is this?”
@Lerato Leseo❤️ commented:
“Shembe must be in jail for allowing this, This is so wrong.”
@Patty_Goxo said:
“She doesn’t want to do this.”
@maphephandaba1 commented:
“The way I hate the Shembe Church. Once I bump into someone wearing their uniform, I slap them.”
@Mosa highlighted:
“One day, these girls will come and tell us about these marriages.”
@Mokgaetji was amazed:
“How can parents allow this nonsense?”
@Prophetic Mkhunqwana commented:
“This is painful.”
@Boitumelo wondered:
“Can’t we help her?”
@n0kukhanya said:
“Yho, this genuinely broke me, I’m not going to lie.”
@OyintandoRea wondered:
“What is the South African government doing about this?”
@Anzo@ explained:
“Those who are criticising, she is in fact crying because she’s bidding her family goodbye. She had a very beautiful wedding, and her husband is not old either!”
The Shembe Church: History and practices
The Shembe Church, officially known as the Nazareth Baptist Church (iBandla lamaNazaretha), is a prominent religious movement founded in 1910 by Prophet Isaiah Shembe in KwaZulu-Natal. The church emerged as a response to colonial and missionary pressures, aiming to integrate Christian teachings with Zulu cultural practices.
Central to Shembe's teachings was the belief that he was a prophet sent to restore the true faith, combining elements of Christianity with traditional Zulu spirituality. Worship practices include observing the Sabbath from Friday evening to Saturday evening, abstaining from certain foods like pork, and engaging in sacred dances and rituals that reflect Zulu heritage. Pilgrimages to sacred sites, such as Mount Nhlangakazi, are integral to the faith, symbolising spiritual renewal and connection to ancestral traditions.
The Shembe Church has faced internal divisions, particularly regarding leadership succession, leading to the formation of multiple factions. Despite these challenges, the movement remains influential, with millions of followers across South Africa and beyond, preserving a unique blend of Christian and African spiritual practices.
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Hilary Sekgota, Human Interest HOD at Briefly News, contributed to this article.
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Source: Briefly News
