LOVE BEYOND SERVICE: KWAZULU-NATAL DSD CELEBRATES STAFF COUPLES DURING NATIONAL MARRIAGE WEEK

By Trevor Khuzwayo & Nomthi Ndlovu.

• MEC Mbali Shinga honoured staff couples who met and married within the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development during a special luncheon marking National Marriage Week with warmth and celebration.
• In her keynote address, the MEC emphasised that stable marriages and strong families are the foundation of resilient communities, highlighting the link between personal love and broader social stability.
• Staff couples shared their journeys of love and partnership, demonstrating that the department’s mission to strengthen families is also reflected in the lives of its employees.

Workplaces are often where careers are built, but for some within the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development (DSD), they also became the place where lifelong love stories began. On Tuesday, 16 September 2025, the Honourable MEC for Social Development, Ms Mbali Shinga, brought those stories to life when she hosted a warm and festive luncheon at Coastlands Hotel in Umhlanga to celebrate staff couples who met and married through the department.

A Celebration of Love and Commitment

The gathering formed part of the annual National Marriage Week, observed from 1 to 7 September. This year’s theme, “Marriage: Source of Hope, Spring of Renewal, Pursuing Lasting Love,” set the tone for an afternoon that highlighted the power of family, open communication, and enduring commitment in strengthening not only households but also communities.
MEC Shinga’s Message of Hope
Addressing the couples, MEC Shinga described marriage as a powerful force for social stability. “Stable families are the foundation of stable communities. When couples nurture their unions with love and respect, the impact is felt not only in their homes but also in society at large,” she said, reminding guests that love within families contributes directly to building a stronger province.

Stories that Inspire

The luncheon had a deeply personal atmosphere. Couples laughed, reminisced, and shared reflections on their journeys, proving that even in the demanding field of social work, love can thrive. Acting Chief Director for Corporate Services, Mr Velaphi Gumede, who coordinated the event, praised the initiative: “Most of the couples here today are social workers, the very people driving family-strengthening programmes in our communities. It is fitting that they also experience the same benefits in their own lives.”

Living the Values They Serve

Organised by the Directorate for Care and Support Services to Families, the celebration was more than a social gathering. It was a reminder that the values DSD promotes in communities, family, resilience, and love must also be embraced within the department itself. For the couples honoured, it was a joyful affirmation that the workplace can be more than a site of service: it can also be the beginning of lasting partnerships and shared journeys.