Politicians, celebrities and former President Nelson Mandela’s grandson, inkosi Mandla Mandela, were among those who descended on President Jacob Zuma’s home in Nkandla on Monday to see the president tie the knot with his fifth wife.
Zuma married Thobeka Madiba, formerly called Majhiba in the press, outside his homestead on Monday afternoon in a colourful traditional wedding which attracted scores of guests and media.
Guests were treated to Zulu and Xhosa traditional dance, and dancing by the president and his new wife.
Zuma sat among his relatives, inkosi Bhekumuzi and KwaZulu-Natal premier Zweli Mkhize during the wedding.
Security was tight and journalists were barred from getting close to the president’s home. However, media who had been camping near Zuma’s home since the early morning were later allowed to attend the ceremony which took place just outside the president’s homestead.
Zuma married Nompumelelo MaNtuli-Zuma at the same place in 2007.
In a statement on Sunday, the presidency urged the media to stay away, as it was a “a private family ceremony”.
Extra policing
Director Phindile Radebe said they had deployed more police officers, saying the event warranted extra policing.
‘We have deployed extra police officers to make sure that the event goes smoothly as planned,” said Radebe.
A large marquee was erected to accommodate guests, while several goats and sheep were slaughtered for the feast.
The president’s other wives are Sizakele Khumalo, whom he married in 1973, and Nompumelelo MaNtuli-Zuma, whom he married in 2007.
He was previously married to current Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, whom he divorced in 1998, and Kate Mantsho Zuma, who committed suicide in 2000.
More wives?
Zuma is the father of 18 children.
He is also engaged to Gloria Bongi Ngema from Durban. Her family presented umbondo (gifts) to the Zuma family at the end December 2009.
Umbondo is the last Zulu traditional ceremony before the wedding. It was done after ilobolo had been paid.
It was not known when Zuma would tie the knot with Ngema. – Sapa