ELAINE BAKER AND Tendekayi Guni were married in Kimbiji Parish Church, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on August 8th, by an Italian priest, Fr Luciano, followed by a reception at Kasa Beach Hideaway.
Elaine is the eldest daughter of Ian and Betty Baker of Kilbride, Co Meath. She attended St Dominic’s College, Cabra, Co Dublin before studying economics and computer science at University College Cork. She then did an MA in political economy of development at the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies.
In 2001, Elaine received an ODI fellowship in the ministry of finance in Dar es Salaam and she now works in the computing centre of the University of Dar es Salaam. She has two sisters – Ruth Woods, who was her chief bridesmaid, and Sarah Baker – and one brother, Damian Baker.
Tendekayi is the son of Silas and Monica Guni of Harare, Zimbabwe. He has one sister, Thandiwe, and two brothers, Zivanai Guni and Tinashe Guni. He attended St John’s High School and Hatfield High School, and completed a certificate in business and industrial administration in Spesiss College, Harare. Tendekayi moved to Tanzania in 2003, where he set up a successful outdoor adventure company, Afriroots, with his business partner and best man Fredrick Mbuya, better known as Mejah.
The couple met outside a juice bar in May 2003, when Tendekayi asked Elaine a question in English and she replied in Swahili. He proposed to her in August 2008, but they kept the news to themselves until they were in Ireland for Ruth’s wedding in September 2008.
The Mjimwema choir sang throughout the wedding mass. Thirteen nationalities were represented at the ceremony, including guests from Ireland, Zimbabwe, the Netherlands and the UK.
Canapés were served on the beach after the mass, with the Mbagala steel-drum band playing in the background. Elaine and Tendekayi’s friend James Bianco organised beach games and races.
Dinner was held in a marquee, and the wedding cake was made by Ruth McSweeney. Later came dancing to Carola Kinasha and Shada Band, and there was also some céilí dancing.
The couple will continue to live in Dar es Salaam. They visit Ireland regularly.