Many say that in order for your love to be strong, it should be founded on friendship first. For South African on-air personality, actress and model Minnie Dlamini and her husband, former football player Quinton Jones, this is most definitely the case. We take a look at their love story.

The pair met in 2010 when they both worked at Urban Brew Studios. While Jones was much more senior than Dlamini, who was just an assistant runner at the time, they still worked in close proximity and became very close friends.

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In an interview with Jacaranda FM, Dlamini said: “We both worked at Urban Brew studios. He was obviously much more senior than I was, I was just like an assistant runner. He basically became my best friend. He was one of those friends where I’d be like in the club, and I’d be partying, and he would be like, ‘I think we should go home now,’ and I would be like, ‘why?’ and I would say, ‘okay, dad.’ Our friendship grew and grew.”

She then explained that they were never single at the same time. Eventually, when they were both single, things started to fall into place.

“We were both single, and he was like, ‘why don’t we give it a shot?’ I was like, ‘no that’s weird’. ‘He was like no one knows you like me, and no one knows me like you,” she explained.

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They began dating, but didn’t make things official until a year later.

“So for a year we were together but weren’t official. Then he took me on holiday and asked me to be his girlfriend. And I was like, I really like you,” she said.

On July 8, 2017, the pair tied the knot in a stunning traditional wedding at Glenn Hills in Northern Durban, KwaZulu Natal.

South African stars such as Basetsana Kumalo, Jessica Nkosi, Anele Mdoda, Zakes Bantwini, Nandi Madida, Criselda Dudumashe, Jimmy Tau and Unathi Msengana were all in attendance.

According to multiple reports, the couple asked that guests refrain from taking pictures, and had everyone wear wristbands in order to limit the public knowledge of the inside of their wedding. Despite this, many images were shared to social media.

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On September 16, 2017 the pair celebrated their nuptials again with a white wedding at the Lourensford Wine Estate in Somerset West.

Dlamini produced a TV wedding special for DStv which showcased her wedding. Called “Minnie Dlamini: Becoming Mrs. Jones”, the three-part special takes viewers through the planning for both ceremonies, Dlamini’s bachelorette party and the weddings themselves. It first aired on VUZU AMP on October 13, 2017.

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The loved-up couple celebrated the three year anniversary of their traditional wedding this year, and Dlamini was spoiled rotten by her husband as her birthday falls close to the anniversary too.

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Image: Instagram / Minnie Dlamini

Cape Town’s own olympic athlete Wayde van Niekerk made headlines across the country when he became the 400m record holder. He achieved a lifetime dream that day. It seems that the runner is set on making all of his wishes come true, as he found and married the girl of his dreams too. We take a look at his wedding, marriage, and more.

In December 2016, the Olympian got engaged to his girlfriend of 3-years, Chesnay Campbell. Taking to Twitter with excitement, van Niekerk posted a video showing off the ring, with the words “SHE SAID YES” written in bold across the footage.

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— Wayde van Niekerk (@WaydeDreamer) December 29, 2016

Shortly thereafter, Van Niekerk announced that he would be concentrating on plans for his wedding, and shared no other details other than the fact that he was very excited to marry the love of his life.

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In October 2017, the pair tied the knot at the Bloemfontein Botanical Gardens. They had over 200 guests join them, including other sporting starts such as Siya Kolisi, Caster Semenya, and TV personality Siv Ngesi.

In a tweet Van Niekerk said, “Can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you,” accompanied by a black and white picture of him with his new wife on their wedding day.

“So blessed to start this next adventure with the girl of my dreams!” he said.

Can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you @Neshney. So blessed to start this next adventure with the girl of my dreams! I ♥️ you! pic.twitter.com/mhr0SNOwZE

— Wayde van Niekerk (@WaydeDreamer) October 29, 2017

Chesnay detailed how the pair planned their wedding.

On the decor, she said: “When it came to picking a wedding planner, everyone suggested one person, @tonypengofficial. I’ve never been the girl who dreamt and planned her wedding since she was 10 years old & Wayde kinda just told me that I can do whatever I want to, as long as he can pick his own suit. ? I met with Tony and told him all I want is for it to be white and as long as everything is pretty, he can do whatever he wants to,” she explained.

“The end result was everything I didn’t know I needed. He kept it clean and classy. Simplicity at its best. We didn’t want the over-the-top “celebrity” wedding because that’s not who we are. We wanted our guest to be able to communicate without having big plants & decor in their faces. We wanted it to feel intimate and comfy. It was the details in the simplicity that made it the most beautiful night ever.”

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About the reception, Chesnay said, “I can’t say anything else but that our reception was the biggest party ever. Having all our close friends and family around us made it very beautiful and super fun. Everyone danced. I mean, EVERYONE danced.”

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On the wedding day as a whole, Chesney said it was beautiful. “An ice cold day at the end of October ( I’ve always wanted an autumn wedding and God listens to his children so I will take all the blame, sorry) But I’d do it all over again even with the cold weather. What’s a cold breeze if you’re marrying your best friend?”

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The couple are still as in love as ever, and Wayde shows off his wife very often.

I wanna give you what’s better than better. @Neshney #Fifteen27 pic.twitter.com/jhQ07jlzYJ

— Wayde van Niekerk (@WaydeDreamer) July 26, 2020

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Image: Twitter / Wayde van Niekerk (@WaydeDreamer)