At the reed dance Nomcebo Zuma was presented as the “liphovela”, which means which means royal fiancée in Swati
The 21-year-old daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma is set to marry Eswatini’s King Mswati III, according to a spokesman for Africa’s last absolute monarchy.
The engagement of Nomcebo Zuma to the 56-year-old monarch was made official following the completion of the reed dance ceremony, a traditional rite held annually for young women and girls.
King Mswati III, currently in a polygamous marriage with 11 wives, has had 15 marriages throughout his reign. Eswatini spokesman Alpheous Nxumalo emphasized that the union is based on love, not political alliance. He remarked, “Love knows no boundaries, whether age or otherwise. It can happen between people of any age, and this is a case of two people finding love.”
The relationship between Mr. Zuma and King Mswati is already familial due to previous marriages. However, the king has faced criticism over his luxurious lifestyle while much of Eswatini’s population lives in poverty.
The nation, previously known as Swaziland, has a population of 1.1 million and faces one of the highest rates of HIV/AIDS infection globally. King Mswati has also drawn international condemnation for his treatment of political opponents.
Ties between Eswatini and South Africa’s Zulu monarchy remain strong. King Mswati III’s nephew, King Misuzulu ka Zwelithini, currently leads the Zulu nation.
Jacob Zuma, who led South Africa from 2009 to 2018, resigned amidst corruption scandals. Despite ongoing legal battles, Zuma’s political influence has resurfaced with the rise of his new political party, uMkhonto weSizwe (MK), which came third in South Africa’s most recent general elections. At 82, Zuma is still respected by his supporters for maintaining Zulu traditions. He is believed to have around 20 children, with Nomcebo being one of them.
Nomcebo, the daughter of his long-term fiancée Nonkululeko Mhlongo, was prominently featured in the reed dance ceremony at Ludzidzini Royal Palace. Dressed in the vibrant colors of the Eswatini kingdom, she was introduced as the “liphovela,” or royal fiancée. The reed dance, also known as the Umhlanga ceremony, aims to promote chastity among participants. The king traditionally selects a bride from the ceremony’s participants.
King Mswati has previously faced controversy over the ages of his brides. In 2005, he selected 17-year-old Phindile Nkambule as his wife shortly after lifting a ban on sexual relations with girls under 18. He had previously fined himself a cow for marrying another 17-year-old in 2001, breaking a self-imposed ban intended to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Credit:BBC
