Thembela Venue
The questions, answered straight
Everything couples ask us before they come and see the place. Where a number depends on your date or your guest list we say so rather than publish one that will not match your day.
Where we are
Where is Thembela Venue?
Thembela is between Richards Bay and Empangeni in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, surrounded by sugar cane. It is about six kilometres from Empangeni and eleven from Richards Bay. We send written directions with every booking and will forward them to your guests.
How far is Thembela from Richards Bay?
About eleven kilometres, roughly fifteen minutes by car from the Richards Bay CBD. Richards Bay Airport is about fifteen kilometres from the venue.
How far is Thembela from Durban?
About one hundred and fifty five kilometres, comfortably a morning's drive up the coast. King Shaka International Airport is roughly one hundred and twenty seven kilometres away.
Is Thembela a hotel or a wedding venue?
It is a wedding and function venue with rooms on the property. You may see it listed on travel sites as Thembela Hotel & Conference Venue, which is the same property, in Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal.
The celebration
Can we have a traditional ceremony and a white wedding at Thembela?
Yes. Many of the families who marry here hold both, sometimes on the same day and often across two. We have hosted umembeso, umabo, umemulo and umkhehlo here alongside white weddings. The venue runs both and the same kitchen cooks for both, so neither one is treated as the afterthought.
Can we hold the traditional ceremony at home and the white wedding at the venue?
Yes, and many families do exactly that. The umembeso or the traditional ceremony happens at the family home, and the white wedding is held here, either later the same day or on the following day.
Do you cook traditional food?
Yes, and it is cooked here. The kitchen belongs to the venue and Cecilia Birkenstock, who founded Thembela, has been cooking these celebrations for twenty five years. On this coast catering is usually outsourced to a contractor, which is why guests so often mention the food in their reviews of Thembela.
Can we bring our own caterer?
Catering is done in-house and it is a large part of what Thembela is. If you have something particular in mind for your menu, tell us when you enquire and we will talk it through with you.
Can we choose our own photographer, videographer and DJ?
Yes. Sound, your wedding cake, photography and videography are yours to choose and you are welcome to bring your own. Catering, decor and flowers are all done in house and are part of what Thembela is, so those stay with us.
Do you host corporate functions as well?
Yes. Conferences, gala dinners, year-end functions and awards evenings are a regular part of what the venue does, including the South32 Hillside Aluminium gala dinner. There is more on the corporate page.
Staying over
Is there accommodation at the venue?
Yes. There are four villas on the property, all executive, each en-suite and self-contained, at R4 000 per villa per night, room only. The family who travelled furthest, and the couple themselves, do not have to drive anywhere at the end of the night.
Where do guests who fly in stay?
There are rooms at the venue itself, and Richards Bay and Empangeni are both a short drive away with further options. Tell us roughly how many of your guests are travelling and we will help you work it out.
Booking
How do we check whether our date is available?
Send us the date through the contact page or call us, and we will tell you straight away whether it is open. If it is, we can hold it for you while you decide.
What does a wedding at Thembela cost?
Pricing depends on your guest numbers, the day of the week and the time of year, so we quote on your actual date rather than publishing a figure that will not match what you need. Send us your date and guest count and we will come back to you with the rate.
How many guests can Thembela take?
The Garden takes 100 to 500 and the Hall 150 to 650. From Thursday to Sunday the Hall has a minimum of 150 guests; Monday to Wednesday there is no minimum, so a smaller mid-week celebration is welcome. Céleste, the rooftop, takes 40 to 80 and is for birthdays and private parties on weekdays rather than for weddings.
Can we come and see the venue first?
Yes, and you should. Our office is open 07:00 to 16:00 Monday to Friday, and viewings are by appointment so that somebody who knows the venue can walk it with you properly. Ask us for a time that suits you.
What deposit secures our date, and how long do you hold it?
A thirty percent deposit of the total secures your date. We hold your quotation for a month from the day we send it, so you have time to decide without the date moving underneath you.
What time does the celebration have to end?
We close our events at 23:00.
Is there parking, and is the venue secure?
Yes. There is free parking on the property with room for the cars of a full 800-person event, and the property is secured. Guests mention both regularly in their reviews.
Anything we have not answered
Send us your date and your guest numbers and we will tell you straight away whether it is open.
Ask us