In September it was revealed that 21-year-old Nomcebo Zuma, the daughter of former president Jacob Zuma, was to become the 16th wife of Esatwini’s Monarch, King Mswati III. Upon the revelation of the news, some South Africans condemned both Mswati and Jacob Zuma for this, as they believed the marriage was purely transactional.
Seeing that King Mswati III is 56 years old, the age gap between Nomcebo and himself is a whopping 35 years, and although Nomcebo is of legal age, netizens have expressed their concern over the problematic nature of the union. Their traditional matrimonial ceremony took place at the Ludzidzini royal village in Lobamba, where approximately 5000 people were in attendance.
King Mswati has often made headlines and was criticised by his opposition and citizens of Eswatini for leading an extravagant lifestyle, including all 11 of his wives, while the people of Eswatini live in extreme poverty. The announcement of his marriage to Nomcebo has furthered the agenda of his villainous nature, as some have highlighted that the decision to marry someone 35 years his junior must not be taken lightly.
Coming to the King’s defence, Eswatini’s spokesman Alpheous Nxumalo claims that the King and his wife connect on a romantic level, and dismissed any suggestion that the union is for political gain between the two families.
“Love has no eyes to see or count age. Love happens between two people. It can happen between a person who is 100 years old and a person who is above the average of what is permitted constitutionally,” Alpheus says.
Unconvinced, netizens are adamant that the relationship is problematic and question how much of a say Nomcebo had in choosing her husband. Others cite the significant age gap as a cause for concern.
My only concern is, did she really consent?
— Uncle German (@GermanTank_BW) October 18, 2024
Speculations about Nomcebo’s eagerness, or lack thereof to marry the King have already begun, as users analyse the body language in any media of the couple that circulates, concluding that Nomcebo is not happy with the decision that was made to marry her to the King.
Its how they always maintain a distance between them, the king is even closer to the Pope than her
— mpho (@mphokeo) October 18, 2024
Also see: Are foreign nationals in South Africa a cause for concern?
