Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal – A dramatic scene unfolded at the ancestral home of former president Jacob Zuma in Nkandla this week, as a delegation of Eswatini royals arrived to initiate lobola negotiations for the hand of his 21-year-old daughter, Nomcebo Zuma. The delegation, led by Chief Mgwagwa Gamedze, his majesty’s chief executive officer, Prince Hlangabeza Dlamini, and Qethuka Sigombeni Dlamini, the king’s emissary, were met with a furious Zuma, who abruptly stormed out of the meeting, leaving the delegation stunned.
“I’ve never seen unxamalala (Zuma) losing it like that. He tried to hide it, but you could tell that he was angry. He just stood up and said seniyosala niqhubeka bafana bakithi (I won’t be a part of this, you will have to carry on without me, my brothers). He then left, leaving all of us shocked,” an insider, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed to Sunday World.
The delegation, which also included Amazulu King Misuzulu ka Zwelithini’s spokesperson Prince Simphiwe Zulu and the commander of amabutho (regiments), had been dispatched to perform the ukucela custom, a traditional ceremony where the prospective groom’s intentions are formally conveyed to the woman’s family.
The incident has left many wondering what transpired to cause such a dramatic reaction from the former president. Sources close to Zuma have revealed that he felt betrayed by King Mswati III, his long-time friend, who had initially indicated that he wanted Nomcebo to marry his son. However, the King later changed his mind, expressing his desire to take Nomcebo as his own wife.
“He [Zuma] felt betrayed because he and King Mswati come a long way. But he did not tell him that he had intentions of making a wife out of his daughter. And what we know is that Mswati had indicated to Nxamalala [Zuma] that he would like Zuma’s daughter to marry into the Eswatini kingdom, but said he liked her for his son,” said a relative of Zuma.
The King’s sudden change of heart has also caused a stir amongst his 15 wives, who were reportedly unaware of his intentions to take a new wife.
“One of the king’s wives is my source of the story; she leaked the information to me because she is not happy that his majesty has decided to take a new wife as he is failing to take good care of the ones he already has,” said Swaziland News editor Zweli Martin Dlamini.
Dlamini further revealed that Nomcebo had visited Eswatini on March 13th this year and has been spending most of her time in the kingdom since then.
“The immigration records I have suggested that Nomcebo now spends most of her time in the Kingdom of Eswatini,” he said. “She initially spent three weeks in Eswatini before returning home, and was back in the kingdom within a few days.”
According to Dlamini, Nomcebo is currently residing in Eswatini, staying in a guest house, as she prepares to be unveiled as the King’s new “liphovela” during the annual reed dance.
“Liphovela is an official girlfriend of the king, who is about to be married and join the royal family. And Nomcebo is expected to be introduced to the nation during the annual reed dance in August,” Dlamini explained.
The delegation, despite Zuma’s abrupt departure, left 10 cattle as dowry for Nomcebo, suggesting that the King is still determined to proceed with the marriage.
The King reportedly intends to declare Nomcebo as his wife during the umkhosi womhlanga, an annual virginity testing ceremony, which usually takes place in August or September. This ceremony, a significant part of Zulu and Swati culture, sees bare-breasted maidens parade themselves before the King to celebrate their purity. Nomcebo has attended this ceremony for years before catching the eye of the Eswatini monarch. If the marriage goes ahead, Nomcebo will become the King’s 16th wife.
King Mswati has already announced his intention to wed another queen and has plans in motion to build her a royal palace in the Emakanyane area of Eswatini.
The incident has brought to light the complex relationship between Zuma and the Swati royal family. Zuma himself has a history with the royal family, having dated one of King Mswati’s sisters, Princess Sebentile Dlamini, in 2002. He had sent a delegation with 50 cattle to introduce himself as her suitor, but the relationship did not culminate in marriage.
In 2017, Zuma’s son, Mxolisi, married Princess Ziyanda Dlamini, the daughter of Prince Fanyana Dlamini, as his second wife. Mxolisi paid 120 cattle for his bride.
Zuma’s nephew, Khulubuse Zuma, is also married to Fikisiwe Dlamini, the King’s niece. Khulubuse paid 100 cattle in lobola for his wife, the daughter of Mswati’s late brother, Prince Phiwokwakhe Dlamini.
The current situation, however, presents a unique and unexpected twist in the long-standing relationship between the two families. Zuma’s reaction to the King’s proposal suggests a deep sense of betrayal and a clash of cultural expectations. The outcome of this saga remains to be seen.
