What started as a modest, low-budget wedding for love birds, Batshani Setoko and his sweetheart Gothatamodimo Batshani has transformed into a stunning, fairytale event, thanks to the kindness of sympathysers across the country.
The couple’s initial wedding ceremony was a humble affair- a worn-out suit, simple dress, and just enough cash to cover a marriage certificate.
With only their best man and bridesmaid by their side, they exchanged vows in a quiet, simple celebration.
After photos of their humble wedding surfaced on Facebook, trolls mocked the couple for their lack of resources.
But, in a heartwarming twist, what began as online ridicule quickly turned into a powerful outpouring of love and support.
Determined to give the couple the wedding of their dreams, Lentlafetse Abney- the owner of Jay’s Wedding Cars, decided to step in after seeing the viral social media post.
With the help of her friend, Mpho Hurndal, they created a WhatsApp group called ‘Batshani and Boitumelo’s Dream Wedding’ which received an overwhelming response from the public.
Talking to this publication this week, an elated Hurndal revealed that within days, over 400 people joined the group, eager to contribute to the celebration. “The response has been overwhelming. We have received monetary donations, wedding suits, gowns, shoes, tents, rings, and even a fleet of cars. It’s going to be a big wedding, and we’re thrilled to help them celebrate the day they deserve,” Hurndal shared.
In addition, DC Tours also hosted a pre-wedding event for the couple, giving them a glimpse of their glamorous upcoming day.
And it doesn’t end there. Another WhatsApp group has since been created to help expand Setoko’s family home, in a remarkable demonstration of how sheer community generosity can change people’s lives.
The wedding is set to take place in a lush garden in Masunga tomorrow (Saturday) where multitudes are expected to gather for the grand affair that Batshani and Gothatamodimo could only dream of.
BATSHANI’S DREAM WEDDING PLEDGES:
1. JAY WEDDING CARS
Event planning fee
Consultation for family
Couples
Kgota meetings
Marketing
Worth p25000
Weddings cars for pre wedding
In partnership with limo bw
P3000
Pre wedding setup (Jays team)
P1000 labour
P1500 flowers
Main wedding
Convertible car
P7000 worth for wedding
Set up (Jays team)
Flowers p2900
Honeymoon pledge
Wedding scenic
Inyankuni house boat
2. MPHO HURNDALL OF ROMPSA TRUCKING AND PLANT HIRE
PLEDGE:
– Batshani Dream Wedding Planning P15,000
– P2000
3. Amogelang Bogacu of Lwapeng Home Stay in Francistown- P500
4. Matty Mosaninda of Cracle Stone Catering Services & Boro Leisure Garden
•Catering: Labour only for 350 & equipment P15500.00
WEDDING CAKES
5. # Labrad Cuisine &
Cakes: P3000 worth 2 cakes
6. #Jessica Wame Motekwane of Jessie bakes Two tier wedding cake worth P2800
7. Wana Pearl Ditiro of ACTS PERLA DESIGN
PLEDGE
*2 WEDDING GOWNS
8. Urban Unique (Kessy Mokgosi)
2 bridal shoes worth P820
P100 to up pledge
P50 transport from the hotel to bus rank .
9. MERE GINGER by Memory Tlamelo Rammoni
200 GINGER drinks with personalized stikers P1400.00
Top up pledge p100
10. MAS GARDEN VILLA
*Venue
11. ROUSN DIAMOND APPERAL & GADGETS
*a pair of heels
12.BeBu BALLOONS CREATIONS AND DECOR
20l bucket of scones
13.Thato Plaarjies Jonas P150 5*1litre Juices
P50 Transport
P100 Wedding Top Up
14.Gasewarona Siako
Cellphone pledge- P70
Wedding pledge – P2000
Top up – P100
15.MS DEE
Cell Phone Pledge P50.00
10*2l drinks P200.00
16.Susan Siku owner of Serene Corner Nest: Accommodation & meals
– P300 pre wedding
– P280 bus fare & indrive
– P100 top up Masunga wedding
– Veges from Siku farms in Tsamaya
17. PJ Clothing
Groom 2 *( 3 pieces suits) P2500
Bestman 2 suits P1830.00
Groom’s Shoes P450.00
Shirts both groom and BestMan P500.00
Ladies suits. (Bride) P750.00
Bride”s stomach Belt (P200)
18. SUITS AFRICA (total of 5 suits)
1. Groom suit x 2 – P2400
2. Bride suit – P860
3. Bestman suit – P850
4. Fathers suit – P850
5. Batshani Prophetic Shirt – P450
6. Batshani Formal suit & Bow tie set – P420
7. Bestman Shirt- P299
19.Monnye
Phone-500
Transport-100
Pre wedding-200
Wedding-500
20. Chef Ludo s p150 for 15 heads of lettuce
21. Mmaagwe sadi P500.00 lettuce and cucumber
22. Kethomphilwe P50.00 wedding topup
23. Figar Mogorosi of Beautyhooked
Pledge P700
24. Ounah Sekoto
P50 pre wedding
P200 Top up
P100 fuel for transporting pots
Car for transporting bride and best lady to the lodge
25. Oabi
Pledge
1. Cellphone contribution P50
2. Goat -P1000
3. Fomer packs + spoons P250
26. Kealeboga Bulayani
Mhemonic security services
Cellphone pledge p50
Top up pledge P200
27. PEARL’S BEAUTY MAKEUP-Dr P
Bride photoshoot makeup P450
Pre wedding bride makeup P3200
Wedding day bride makeup P4000
Bride Wig hire & styling pre wedding P 1100
Bridal styling wedding day P650
Best lady makeup pre wedding P450
Best lady styling pre wedding P 850
Best lady wig installation wedding day P400
28. Portia Dick
6 full chickens 410
Tinae chipo Takobana pledge P100
29. Olorato Ebineng
Bride & Bridemaid earings & neckpiece P250
Pre wedding 200
30. Chedu Mooketsi
P200- wedding
31. SERAHBABIESBW
Flower girl dresses *3
P245each
32. MMA KUSASA FASHIONS
. basadibohle P200
.white top P150
.Makoti shawl*2 P350
33. LEBGEE
35 pairs of shoes
300 disposable cubs
34. Chadiwa & Edwin Machola
(O2 Drops)
150 Personalised still water
35. Chokhwa Haskins-Munamati
P220 for 2 × 10kg samp
36. Gaolathe Malunga
P100 for 1×10kg mabele
37. Hotel Labama
4 days accommodation for mo Banyadi,best man ,best lady P7200
Labama Lounge
Break fast x4 3days P 1080
Lunch x4 3 days P1200
38. Roots Julio
Cell phone contribution- P60
Wedding prep P100
39. Martha Dalaza
P100 for 2l drinks
40. Marry Gaboratwe &Obuile Mulunjwa
6* 2LITRES coke
41. Thembi Dalaza -P100 for wedding
42. Mosey-p200 for butternut
43. Mrs Mosweu
P200 pre-wedding
P50 transport
P100 wedding top up
P50 jewelry transport fare
44. LeeRam Collection
Bride African attire p1850
Groom shirt p350
Pre wedding contribution p250
Pre wedding dj transport p200
45. Raletshegwana p130.00 fr 6*2ltrs drinks
46. B’S VINES
Bridal bouquet P850
Button holes ×2 P80
Best lady bouquet P200
47. LETHABO BEAUTY CORNER
Spa treatment – Couple fullbody Swedish Massage P500
Pre – wedding P50
48. CHOREOGRAPHERS
Wedding entertainment P5500
49. Thandi Ndzimumbi
350 mineral water 💦 no
50. IPELA WINES
– 11 x Bottles of Wine
– Bottles of Water
51. FAIRYTALE cakes & cookies
• 15 cookie platters
52.Lelo’s Blessed Hands – Basadibotlhe Pinafore P850.00
53.Marry Ebineng
P300
Fomapacks for p150.00
54.Sizah Nickson
1 Song P3000
55. LYPOH COUTURE
🔸P200 – Tastic rice
🔸P200 – Pre wedding dinner
🔸Second attire traditional wedding gown
🔸Second attire groom’s shirt
🔸Second attire best man shirt
🔸Second attire best Lady
54.KeinDesigns
Best lady dress for pre wedding celebration
First and second for bestlady
55.siphiwe Mosikwa_100 weeding top up
56. Photography: Phemelo Bamba of Photo Factory Studio – P3000 Francistown
57. Videography: Tumisang of Shot By King Steel BW- P3000 Francistown
58. E.R.A.S COPY SHOP
– Invitation Cards
– Wedding Program
-Vinyl Banner
All Worth P8000
59. Class Elegant Store
Batshani & Thatie Wrdding Rings
Worth P3500
60. Sunnis Creative Hands- Wedding Gown Worth P6500
61.ACCESSORIES
* Monyadi 1st attire – hair vein, earrings.
– monyadi 2nd attire – headband and earrings. – 3rd attire neckpiece and earrings. – Best lady 1st attire- neckpiece and earrings – Best lady 2nd attire- neckpiece and earrings. Chic D’Afrique 77330393 value P1,300
62* Joe en Nono clothing
Leteise dress for bride p1500
Leteise shirt for groom p500
63* Fino Dee The sax 🎷 Prince
PRE WEDDING PERFORMANCE /Entertainment worth P3000
64. Prophetess Kamo Mazwigwila of Bible House International Church- Matebeleng- P1000 + P500 fuel voucher
