South Africa's political and business elite, as well as hundreds of villagers in traditional dress have gathered for President Jacob Zuma's fifth wedding in his remote home village. Three large tents were erected for the "udendwe" wedding ceremony under overcast skies in Mr Zuma's rural homestead in Nkandla, deep in the countryside of KwaZulu-Natal province. <br/><br/>During the service, his 37-year-old bride Thobeka Madiba will be introduced to the elders as well as to ancestors, two years after Mr Zuma, 67, paid a dowry to her family, a gift known as "ilobolo". Ms Madiba, will become his third current wife. Several sheep, goats and cows have already been slaughtered for the feast to follow. <br/><br/>Even while preparations for this wedding were underway, Mr Zuma is reportedly preparing for his sixth marriage. Earlier this week, a gift-giving ceremony was held signalling that he had paid ilobolo for his latest fiancee, Bongi Ngema.
News On AIR | January 4, 2010 9:58 PM
South African masses gather for President Jacob Zuma's fifth wedding