‘Wedding bells’ for King Mswati, Zuma’s daughter

The daughter of former president Jacob Zuma could soon get married to the monarch of eSwatini, King Mswati III.

Nomcebo Zuma, 21, has been asked for her hand in marriage by the King of eSwatini. She is the daughter of the former president with a businesswoman identified only as MaMhlongo.

The Mercury understands that she will be introduced to the king’s mother in the coming weeks and unveiled to the nation during the Reed Dance in eSwatini. Public reports state that the tentative date for the Reed Dance this year is September 2.

A delegation made up of senior members of eSwatini and Zulu Royal families visited Zuma’s homestead in Nkandla last week to present 10 cattle as part of “kucela” customary practice.

The Mercury was able to confirm the delegation’s visit to KwaDakwadunuse (Zuma’s private residence in Nkandla) with a source in the Zulu Royal family, who said the delegation was sent about a week ago.

The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said King Mswati had first seen Nomcebo during celebrations called 55-55 that were held last year.

“Apparently she is a beautiful young woman. The king first saw her during the 55-55 double celebrations.

“The king’s delegation was definitely sent to speak to the Zuma family about his daughter’s hand in marriage. Her mother is Ms Mhlongo and she was never married to Zuma.

“I am not sure how the negotiations went and how the delegation was welcomed but MaMhlongo was also in Nkandla,” said the source.

Another Zulu royal family member and King Misuzulu’s spokesperson, Prince Simphiwe Zulu, confirmed that he was part of the eSwatini delegation, adding that the negotiations went well.

“We were there on Tuesday last week. I cannot speak in detail of the ceremony as that was the event of the Ngwane (eSwatini king’s delegation).

“We had just escorted them, because the king of eSwatini did not want to be in the kingdom of the Zulu nation without alerting the king of the Amazulu.

“As for the event, I believe that it went well,” said the prince, confirming that the event took place at Zuma’s homestead in Nkandla.

The news of Nomcebo marrying King Mswati first broke out on the eSwatini online publication, Swaziland News.

According to the eSwatini-based publication, the former president did not look favourably at these developments and had refused to meet the delegation as he felt betrayed by his “friend”.

Another source familiar with the eSwatini royal family matters said “Zuma felt betrayed by King Mswati as he had initially informed Zuma that he wanted his daughter to marry in the royal family. It was only later that the former president became aware that King Mswati wanted Nomcebo for himself.”

Further reports have surfaced from the same Swaziland publication, stating that immigration records are suggesting that Nomcebo had become a frequent traveller to the landlocked kingdom.

The reports said the immigration records disclosed that Nomcebo would arrive and spend three weeks in eSwatini before returning to her home country, South Africa. She would spend two to four days more and travel back to eSwatini.

It said that state security officers, who are part of the king’s intelligence unit, told the publication that Nomcebo is currently booked in one of the guest houses and is looking forward to participating in the upcoming Reed Dance ceremony.

Attempts to contact Nomcebo’s mother were unsuccessful on Thursday, while King Mswati’s spokesperson did not respond to several messages sent by “The Mercury.”

When asked about the eSwatini delegation visiting the Zuma homestead, Zuma’s son Edward said no such meeting took place.

“We know nothing about what you are saying. The former president has been in Johannesburg and I have not seen him for a while.

“For the past two weekends there have not been any events at the family home.

“We recently had a funeral at this home,” said Edward.

The Mercury