Nontshebo Zuma was introduced as King Mswati's “lipovera” at the annual reed dance, but the jury is still out on whether the marriage is “out of love”.
The reeds acknowledged the engagement of Nonchebo Zuma to Eswatini's King Mswati III as the 21-year-old joined hundreds of Swati women and girls who dance for the polygamous monarch at the annual reed dance.
The daughter of former president and Mkhonto weSizwe (MK) party leader Jacob Zuma appeared dressed in the tiny kingdom's colourful traditional dress on Monday night as the “lipovela”, or royal fiancee, of the 56-year-old king.
The eight-day ceremony marks both a traditional womanhood rite and an opportunity for King Mswati to reveal his choice of new wife.
Nontshebo Zuma becomes King Mswati's '12th wife'
Africa's last remaining absolute monarch has been married 15 times – currently has 11 wives, some of whom he married while still underage – and is the father of 36 children.
Nontschebo is rumoured to have caught the king's eye last year during a dual celebration of his birthday and the country's 55th independence anniversary at the Somhololo National Stadium in Lobamba, Eswatini.
Of course, Nontschebo is no stranger to polygamous relationships; her 82-year-old Zulu father has six wives and at least 20 children.
Mswati's “12th wife” is the daughter of Zuma and Nonkululeko Hloniphile Mhlongo (Malongo). The couple have two children together, but Malongo is not legally married to Zuma.
Love and Robola…
The Citizen It was previously reported that Nontschebo's lobola amounted to a staggering R2 million and 100 cows.
After the reed dance ceremony, a royal spokesman said Princess Nontschebo would marry Princess Mswati “for love”.
“Love has no eyes that see or count age. Love happens between two people. Love can happen between a 100-year-old and someone who is above the average age allowed by the constitution,” he told BBC's Newsday programme.
King Mswati and Nontshebo Zuma: A marriage of strategic convenience?
But political analyst Mandla Hlatshwayo rejects the rosy royal portrayal of love and argues the merger is a strategic move to consolidate economic and political interests.
“President Zuma's role and capacity as the principal ambassador for Swaziland and the Swazi monarchy is not up for debate,” Hlatshwayo said. Voice of America.
“This has become even more important in my view with the development, or emergence, of MK as a political party with Zuma as absolute president.”
The bond between Eswatini and the Zulu Kingdom, Jacob Zuma
There are strong traditional links between Eswatini and the Zulu Kingdom of South Africa, and the current Zulu King, Misuzulu ka Zwelithini, is the nephew of King Mswati III.
In addition, Zuma and Mswati are already relatives through marriage.
Sicelo Mngomezulu, a Swazi-born lawyer living in South Africa, believes the marriage will strengthen bilateral ties between the King and President Zuma.
“As we know now, the former president and the king are actually business partners in some ways… so we're hoping that some of their relationship will actually blossom.”
Also read: 'Ivanka Trump of Nkandla': The lavish life of 'champagne socialist' Duduzile Zuma [VIDEOS]
The cost of another royal wedding…
talk Voice of AmericaFormer Eswatini MP Mduduzi Simelane noted that the royal wedding would undoubtedly be an expensive event.
“Firstly, this high profile wedding is putting a huge strain on Swaziland’s economy as it involves a huge dowry of 100 cows and R2 million, as well as all the other hidden costs that come with this type of wedding.
“Secondly, even within the royal family, the marriage has faced opposition among the royal wives…. The marriage will cause a commotion.”
King Mswati's Wealth
Forbes Magazine As of 2023, King Mswati III was named one of the 15 richest royals in the world, with a fortune of $500 million (about R10 billion).
Meanwhile, around 70% of the kingdom's population lives below the poverty line and the health and education systems are in ruins.
In the December 2023 report, swaziland news As the country battles poverty, the king has revealed he boasts stakes in leading companies in industries including construction, tourism, agriculture, communications and forestry.
Read now: The lavish life of King Mswati III: Eswatini's monarch arrives in South Africa in a 'flying palace'
