21-year-old daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma is set to marry King Mswati III of Eswatini, with their engagement being announced following the recent reed dance ceremony, a traditional event held annually to celebrate young women and girls.
Nomcebo Zuma’s engagement to the 56-year-old monarch was formalized at the end of the eight-day Umhlanga ceremony, which traditionally serves as a rite of passage.
King Mswati III, who is currently married to 11 wives and has been married a total of 15 times, is now engaged to Zuma.
Alpheous Nxumalo, a spokesperson for Eswatini’s absolute monarchy, emphasized to the BBC that the marriage is based on love rather than political motives.
“Love does not discriminate by age,” Nxumalo stated.
“It can occur between individuals of any age, regardless of what is conventionally accepted.”
Jacob Zuma, who served as South Africa’s president from 2009 to 2018 and faces ongoing legal issues related to corruption and a 1999 arms deal (which he denies), has familial ties to King Mswati III through marriage.
Despite his controversial presidency and recent political resurgence with his party, uMkhonto weSizwe (MK), which placed third in South Africa’s recent elections, Zuma remains a significant figure in South African politics.
King Mswati III’s opulent lifestyle and polygamous practices have drawn criticism, especially given the widespread poverty and high HIV/AIDS rates in Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland.
The king’s critics also highlight the harsh treatment of dissenters in the country.
Nomcebo Zuma, whose mother is Jacob Zuma’s long-time partner Nonkululeko Mhlongo, participated in the reed dance at the Ludzidzini Royal Palace dressed in traditional Eswatini attire.
The Umhlanga ceremony aims to promote chastity among young participants, and the king selects potential brides from among them.
Nomcebo Zuma was introduced as the “liphovela,” meaning royal fiancée.
King Mswati III has previously faced scrutiny over the ages of his brides, including a notable case in 2005 when he married a 17-year-old shortly after lifting a ban on sexual relations for girls under 18.