Written By Lisa Murimi
Nomcebo Zuma, the 21-year-old daughter of South Africa’s former President Jacob Zuma, has married Eswatini’s King Mswati III, Africa’s last absolute monarch.
The engagement was made official during the eight-day reed dance ceremony, a traditional event held annually in Eswatini for young women and girls.
King Mswati III, aged 56, currently has 11 wives and has been married 15 times.
Eswatini government spokesman Alpheous Nxumalo confirmed that the marriage was based on love, dismissing any notion of a political alliance.
“Love has no eyes to see or count age,” Nxumalo told the BBC.
Nomcebo was presented as the “liphovela,” or royal fiancée, at the ceremony’s conclusion, marking her formal entry into the royal family.
King Mswati’s luxurious lifestyle and polygamous household have long attracted criticism, with many accusing him of ruling lavishly while his people face poverty.
Eswatini also has one of the world’s highest rates of HIV/AIDS infection.
Jacob Zuma, who resigned in disgrace over corruption allegations but remains influential, is already related to King Mswati through marriage.
The union further strengthens ties between South Africa’s Zulu monarchy and Eswatini’s royal family.
