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SA's Zuma to marry third wife | SA's Zuma to marry third wife |
(about 1 hour later) | |
South Africa's President Jacob Zuma is set to marry his third wife. | South Africa's President Jacob Zuma is set to marry his third wife. |
Senior figures from the ruling ANC, the trade union movement and the South African Communist Party are expected to attend, alongside family and friends. | Senior figures from the ruling ANC, the trade union movement and the South African Communist Party are expected to attend, alongside family and friends. |
Mr Zuma, a Zulu, was meant to marry his fiance Thobeka Mabhija, 36, last year but the wedding was postponed due to Mr Zuma's political commitments. | Mr Zuma, a Zulu, was meant to marry his fiance Thobeka Mabhija, 36, last year but the wedding was postponed due to Mr Zuma's political commitments. |
Correspondents say Mr Zuma's belief in the traditional practice of polygamy has split South Africans. | Correspondents say Mr Zuma's belief in the traditional practice of polygamy has split South Africans. |
Some support him but many younger people believe it should have no place in a modern society. | Some support him but many younger people believe it should have no place in a modern society. |
MRS JACOB ZUMA Thobeka Mabhija - to be married, January 2010Gloria Bongi Ngema, financeeNompumelelo Ntuli - married, January 2008Sizakele Khumalo - married, 1973Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma - divorced, 1998Kate Mantsho Zuma - died, 2000 | MRS JACOB ZUMA Thobeka Mabhija - to be married, January 2010Gloria Bongi Ngema, financeeNompumelelo Ntuli - married, January 2008Sizakele Khumalo - married, 1973Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma - divorced, 1998Kate Mantsho Zuma - died, 2000 |
Under Zulu tradition, Mr Zuma's two current wives are supposed to approve of the new wife and attend the wedding ceremony. | |
It has also emerged that Mr Zuma, 67, is expected to take a fourth wife but no date has been set. | |
His new fiance, Gloria Bongi Ngema last week brought umbondo (wedding gifts) to the Zuma family, reports say. | His new fiance, Gloria Bongi Ngema last week brought umbondo (wedding gifts) to the Zuma family, reports say. |
This ceremony is the last traditional event before the wedding and is done after ilobolo has been paid to the bride's family. | This ceremony is the last traditional event before the wedding and is done after ilobolo has been paid to the bride's family. |
"The traditional wedding of President Jacob Zuma and Thobeka Mabhija tomorrow, 4 January, is a private family ceremony," said a statement from the presidency on Sunday. | "The traditional wedding of President Jacob Zuma and Thobeka Mabhija tomorrow, 4 January, is a private family ceremony," said a statement from the presidency on Sunday. |
The office asked journalists to "allow the family the privacy that they are entitled to". | The office asked journalists to "allow the family the privacy that they are entitled to". |
South African media reported that Mr Zuma's home in Nkandla, in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, was a hive of activity in the run-up to the ceremony. | South African media reported that Mr Zuma's home in Nkandla, in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, was a hive of activity in the run-up to the ceremony. |
When Mr Zuma was inaugurated as president in May, speculation was rife about who would be the first lady. | When Mr Zuma was inaugurated as president in May, speculation was rife about who would be the first lady. |
He has attended some high-profile events with all his wives, including Ms Mabhija. | He has attended some high-profile events with all his wives, including Ms Mabhija. |
Mr Zuma paid ilobolo (dowry) to the Mabhija family two years ago. | Mr Zuma paid ilobolo (dowry) to the Mabhija family two years ago. |
Earlier this year, the Mabhija family sent gifts to the Zuma family, an indication that all matters regarding the wedding, including a date, had been set, reports say. | Earlier this year, the Mabhija family sent gifts to the Zuma family, an indication that all matters regarding the wedding, including a date, had been set, reports say. |
This will be Mr Zuma's fifth wedding. | This will be Mr Zuma's fifth wedding. |
Mr Zuma, 67, married his first wife Sizakele Khumalo-Zuma, in 1973, and his second wife, Nompumelelo Ntuli-Zuma, two years ago. | |
He is also divorced from Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. | |
One of his earlier wives, Kate Mantsho-Zuma, died in 2000. | One of his earlier wives, Kate Mantsho-Zuma, died in 2000. |