Zuma getting married - again

2008-01-04 09:39

Durban - Jacob Zuma's homestead at Nkandla in KwaZulu-Natal is said to be bracing for another festivity with the new African National Congress president reportedly planning to marry Nompumelelo Ntuli - the mother of two of his children - on Saturday, the Mercury newspaper reported on Friday.

If the ceremony goes ahead, Ntuli would become Zuma's fourth wife. Ntuli has recently been featured in media speculation that she could become the next first lady of the country, should Zuma become the president in 2009.

A family source who spoke to the Mercury acknowledged that a ceremony involving Ntuli would take place, but was cagey about the exact nature of the ceremony, labelling it a low key affair.

"This is a family affair and involves the arrival of Ntuli as a bride to the home as you may be aware that all arrangements for her to become a Zuma have been completed," the senior family member told the newspaper.

Ntuli, 33, is a resident of KwaMaphumulo near Stanger and has two children with Zuma - Thandisiwe, 5, and Sinqobile, who turns one next month.

Ntuli - who is reportedly an ANC activist in her area - caught Zuma's eye a few years ago.

"The date for the ceremony was planned a while ago, but Msholozi (Zuma's clan name) did not want this to be a publicised affair; the family members and close friends were told of this just days away without any nitty gritties," another source told the Mercury.

The newspaper said it was believed that the ceremony was delayed because of the excitement and build-up to the ANC Polokwane conference in Limpopo last month.

- SAPA