Nomcebo Zuma, the 21-year-old daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, is set to marry King Mswati III of Eswatini, becoming his 16th wife. The engagement was announced during the annual Umhlanga reed dance, a traditional ceremony held at Ludzidzini royal village in Lobamba, Eswatini.
The Umhlanga reed dance, which features thousands of young girls in traditional attire, marks a rite of passage. Nomcebo Zuma’s engagement was highlighted during the event on September 2, where she was officially recognized as the liphovela, or royal fiancée.
King Mswati III, who has ruled Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) since 1986, governs the nation by decree with political parties banned. Nomcebo’s father, Jacob Zuma, who served as South Africa’s president from 2009 to 2018, is known for his numerous children and his recent departure from the ANC to form the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party.
