The 21-year-old daughter of South Africa’s former president, Jacob Zuma, is set to marry King Mswati III of Eswatini out of love, according to a spokesperson for the kingdom. Nomcebo Zuma’s engagement to the 56-year-old monarch was formalized following the traditional eight-day reed dance ceremony, a cultural event for young women and girls.
King Mswati III, currently in a polygamous union with 11 wives and having married 15 times, chose Nomcebo as his new bride, marking her as his 12th wife. Eswatini government spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo dismissed any notion that this marriage is politically motivated, emphasizing that love is the sole reason for their union.
King Mswati, who has ruled for 38 years, has often faced criticism for his lavish lifestyle, particularly as many of his people live in poverty in Eswatini, a nation known for its high HIV/Aids rates. His governance, especially his harsh treatment of political opponents, has also been a source of controversy. Despite these challenges, the traditional bond between Eswatini and South Africa’s Zulu monarchy remains strong.
Nomcebo, whose mother is Jacob Zuma’s long-time fiancée Nonkululeko Mhlongo, was officially presented as the royal fiancée during the reed dance ceremony at the Ludzidzini Royal Palace. King Mswati has previously come under scrutiny for marrying younger brides, with one notable instance in 2005 when he married a 17-year-old after lifting a ban on relationships for girls under 18, imposed to combat the spread of HIV/Aids.
Meanwhile, Jacob Zuma, once disgraced over corruption charges, has experienced a political comeback with his party uMkhonto weSizwe securing third place in South Africa’s general elections. The 82-year-old is revered by his supporters for maintaining his Zulu cultural practices and has multiple wives and around 20 children.
