Jacob Zuma’s Daughter to Marry Eswatini King as His 16th Wife ‘For Love’.

Nomcebo Zuma, the 21-year-old daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, is set to marry King Mswati III of Eswatini, the 56-year-old absolute monarch, in what is being described as a union of “love” rather than political strategy.

Nomcebo Zuma will become the 16th wife of Africa’s last absolute monarch, who has ruled Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, since 1986. The engagement was made official earlier this week at the conclusion of the traditional eight-day reed dance ceremony, where hundreds of women and girls dance for the king.

The engagement has sparked debate over potential political motives, considering Jacob Zuma’s recent entry into politics. Zuma launched a new political party on the eve of this year’s general election and garnered nearly 15% of the vote. However, Eswatini spokesman Alpheous Nxumalo has dismissed these speculations, asserting that the marriage is purely about love. “Love has no eyes to see or count age. Love happens between two people. It can happen between a person who is 100 years old and a person who is above the average of what is permitted constitutionally,” he told the BBC.

Jacob Zuma, now 82, served as South Africa’s president from 2009 until 2018, when he was forced to resign amid a series of corruption scandals. He was accused of overseeing a system where allies took control of ministries and state enterprises to loot public funds and assets. Zuma denied any wrongdoing but was ousted from power and later jailed for refusing to testify at a national inquiry.

In recent years, however, Zuma has attempted a political comeback, leveraging his strong grassroots support in his Zulu homeland to build a new party and challenge his former ANC comrades. His familial ties with King Mswati III add another layer of complexity to the unfolding political dynamics.

Critics of King Mswati III have long accused him of leading a luxurious lifestyle while the majority of his kingdom lives in poverty. The engagement to Nomcebo Zuma, therefore, is likely to draw both local and international attention, not just for its romantic narrative but also for its broader implications in the region’s political landscape.

Article By Suzy Nyongesa.