Nomcebo Zuma, the 21-year-old daughter of South Africa’s former president Jacob Zuma, is set to marry Eswatini’s King Mswati III in what is being described as a marriage based on love rather than political alliance. This was confirmed by Alpheous Nxumalo, a spokesperson for Eswatini, Africa’s last absolute monarchy.
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The engagement was made official during the country’s traditional Umhlanga, or reed dance, which is an annual rite of passage for young women. The ceremony, which lasts for eight days, concluded with Zuma being presented as the “liphovela,” meaning royal fiancée in Swati.
King Mswati III, who is 56 years old, is currently married to 11 wives and has been in a polygamous marriage arrangement for decades, having married 15 women in total. Despite the significant age gap between the couple, Nxumalo emphasized that the relationship is rooted in love. “Love has no eyes to see or count age,” he said. “It happens between two people, regardless of age or political status.”
Family Connections and Background
Jacob Zuma, South Africa’s president from 2009 to 2018, shares a familial connection with King Mswati III through previous marriages. While this has sparked speculation that the union could be politically motivated, Nxumalo insisted the marriage has no political implications. Both Zuma and Mswati come from influential families steeped in traditional beliefs, and their cultural practices often attract media attention.
The Eswatini monarch has been the subject of controversy for decades. His polygamous lifestyle has drawn criticism, especially given the poverty levels in Eswatini. Critics argue that while the king and his wives live in luxury, many citizens in the country suffer from extreme poverty. Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, has a population of around 1.1 million and one of the world’s highest rates of HIV/AIDS infections.
### A Traditional Ceremony
The engagement was sealed in front of the Eswatini kingdom at the Ludzidzini Royal Palace, where Nomcebo Zuma donned the traditional bright colors of the Eswatini kingdom. The reed dance ceremony, which she participated in, is intended to discourage young women from engaging in sexual activity at an early age. This ancient tradition allows the king to select a bride from among the participants, and this year, it was Zuma who was chosen.
However, the monarch has faced scrutiny over the years for choosing young brides, many of them under the age of 18. In 2005, he selected Phindile Nkambule, a 17-year-old, as one of his wives, only a few days after lifting a ban on sexual relations for girls under 18. The ban had originally been imposed in an effort to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS, and after breaking it, the king was fined a cow as punishment.
### Political and Cultural Legacy
King Mswati has ruled Eswatini by decree for 38 years, and his leadership style has often been criticized for its authoritarian nature. The country’s political system bans political parties, and dissent is met with harsh repression. Nonetheless, the traditional relationship between Eswatini and South Africa’s Zulu monarchy remains strong. King Mswati III is the nephew of South Africa’s current Zulu king, Misuzulu ka Zwelithini.
Jacob Zuma, who stepped down from the South African presidency following corruption allegations, is currently experiencing a political comeback. His newly formed political party, uMkhonto weSizwe (MK), placed third in the most recent South African general elections. Despite ongoing legal battles, Zuma remains a popular figure in South African politics, particularly for his staunch defense of Zulu customs and traditions. He himself has multiple wives and is believed to have fathered 20 children.
Nomcebo Zuma, one of his daughters, is now set to enter into the polygamous household of King Mswati III, further intertwining the fates of two of Southern Africa’s most prominent political families.