King Mswati III of Eswatini has announced that he intends to marry 21-year-old Nomcebo Zuma, daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, as his 16th wife. Nomcebo is the daughter of Zuma and his fifth wife, Nonkululeko Mhlongo.

According to a publication on the South African portal "Scrolla" reports that in July, a delegation from King Mswati and senior members of the Zulu royal family visited Zuma's estate in Nkandla for the "kucela", a tradition that marks the beginning of the marriage proposal of King Mswati III and Nomcebo Zuma.

According to sources, Nomcebo has already moved to Eswatini and dropped out of her final year of university studies in South Africa. She plans to complete her degree in Eswatini.

However, King Mswati III of Eswatini's plans to marry Nomcebo Zuma, daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma, as his 16th wife, generate divergent views from political analysts, who dismiss its geopolitical impact, but note the potential to strengthen financial interests and family ties between the two leaders.

Zuma leads the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) political party. His daughter will be Mswati III's 16th wife.

For South African political analyst Mandla Hlatshwayo, this union could be a strategic move aimed at consolidating economic and political interests.

"President Zuma's role and ability to be a great ambassador for Eswatini or the Swazi royal family is an undisputed issue, and has become even more important, in my opinion, with the development or emergence of MK as a political party with President Zuma as its absolute president," says Hlatshwayo, in a publication by the VOA.

For his part, South African lawyer of Swazi origin and president of the Multi-Sectoral Forum (MSF), Sicelo Mngomezulu, plays down the political impact of the wedding, arguing that Zuma's reduced role in South African politics makes him unable to influence Swazi politics.

However, the South African lawyer foresees a strengthening of existing business ties and financial interests between the two leaders, potentially consolidating the Dlamini and Zuma dynasties through this union, "as we now know that the former president of South Africa and the king are actually business partners in some way and have been involved in some shady money laundering deals".

Zuma is expected to stand trial on multiple charges of corruption and extortion in April. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Meanwhile, King Mswati III was criticized for his controversial polygamy and luxurious lifestyle.

Former Eswatini MP Mduduzi Simelane says that the king's wedding will be expensive, "with his high dowry of 100 head of cattle and two million rand and all the other hidden costs associated with a wedding of this nature, it puts significant pressure on Eswatini's economy".

Simelane adds that "within royal circles, this union has also been met with internal opposition among the royal wives (...) there are many other things we know but won't divulge, but this marriage will cause a stir."

(Photo DR)