“Please Send This to Trump”: Lobola Negotiations Ceremony at University Residence Entertains Mzansi
- A group of University of Pretoria students captured the hearts of social media users after staging a traditional lobola negotiation
- The mock ceremony featured mixed-race students participating in cultural customs, including the "imvulamlomo" and identifying the bride
- Social media users praise the student’s spirit of inclusivity and the vibrant atmosphere of life at a university residence
- Briefly News spoke with BCom accounting student Luhle Mgandela about the viral mock lobola negotiations at a Tuks residence that took Mzansi by storm
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Source: UGC
University life is often about more than just textbooks, as demonstrated by a heartwarming and hilarious post shared online.
The clip was shared on TikTok by @house_ikageng on February 102026 where it garnered massive views and comments from viewers who were touched by the unity displayed by the students.
The delegates, including students from diverse, non-traditional backgrounds, were seen participating in the "imvulamlomo" process. They light-heartedly forked out money until the bride’s family was satisfied enough to begin the talks.
Choosing the bride among the covered women
The tension intensified during the traditional identification of the bride, where the groom had to choose his partner from three covered women. When he made the right choice, the video shared by TikTok @house_ikageng showed a hall erupting in cheers. After the successful negotiation, the celebration moved outdoors, where students gathered to sing and dance, creating an environment filled with love and unity.
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Watch the TikTok video below:
Discussing the viral Tuks Lobola mock ceremony
The Briefly News team reached out to Luhle, a BCom Accounting student at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), to get her perspective as a fellow student on the viral clip from the University of Pretoria.
The team asked if UJ has similar cultural or residence activities that bring students together, or if this is something she’d like to see in her own campus. She responded:
“Yes, we do! We’ve had a lobola recreation in 2025. I guess it is a trend among students at different universities to bring us together.”
We asked who usually initiates such activities, and the student said:
“The House Committee usually notifies students via the res WhatsApp group. The details also include auditions for roles such as the groom, bride-to-be, in-laws, and speakers. “
When asked if it was important for people not to miss the stage of going to university. The BCom student said.
“Absolutely! There is so much university life teaches you outside of your studies. You learn to be independent, to manage your time wisely, which is what you are going to need in the real world, and to coexist with other people.”
SA loves the lobola negotiations video
The post garnered massive views, with social media users deeply moved by the students' effort. Many viewers wondered how long it took to coordinate such a detailed performance. Some jokingly suggested the video be sent to US President Donald Trump to show South African unity. One user advised matriculants to study hard so they don't miss out on the unique experiences and bonds formed at university.
Source: UGC
User @Dingane Twala🇿🇦 said:
"This is so real. Everything happened exactly the way it is normally done, even if they didn't sign. It's actually recorded, spiritually they are one soul 😂."
User @Ash M - Psychologist commented:
"😂Me watching proof of a marriage. Was there a celebration? Yes. Were there witnesses? Yes. Umshado lento (this is a wedding)."
User @raskodiraskodi6 joked:
"This play is enough to send Trump to the grave ⚰️."
User @ItuPoppy2000 commented:
"Kids, never miss the stage of being in varsity. This is your sign to go study."
User @Nahemi Ndahalemona H shared:
"Ama 2000's will fix SADC each year until we reach 2030."
User @Mosima Mamahope said:
"Why am I crying as if it's a real wedding 😭🥰. Please don't forget to send this to Trump."
3 Briefly News lobola-related articles
- A South Sudanese man finally tied the knot in a grand ceremony after outbidding a rival suitor with a dowry offer of over one million rand, shocking many social media users.
- A South African woman sparked a conversation about modernising lobola negotiations after sharing a marriage agreement sold at Makro, which she used for hers.
- A local family put much effort into preparing food for their daughter's in-laws, who were meant to arrive for the lobola negotiation, but the man's family never arrived
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Source: Briefly News
