Recent reports suggest a quiet stir in Southern Africa's royal and political circles, centering on Nomcebo Zuma, daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, and her reported departure from the royal household of King Mswati III of eSwatini.
Marriage and Royal Introduction
Nomcebo Zuma, born in 2002 and currently 22 years old, was introduced as King Mswati III's "Liphovela" (fiancée) during the annual uMhlanga Reed Dance ceremony in September 2024. She subsequently became his 16th wife, taking the royal title Inkhosikati LaZuma. |
| Report: Jacob Zuma’s Daughter Allegedly Leaves King Mswati’s Palace Amidst Polygamy Challenges |
While the palace did not officially announce the marriage, it was widely reported by various media outlets following her introduction.
Alleged Departure and Reason Cited
According to reports primarily from Swaziland News and echoed by other publications, Inkhosikati LaZuma has allegedly left the palace. Sources close to the situation claim the young royal wife found it difficult to adapt to the polygamous environment, reportedly stating she could "no longer bear" a setup where she would "go for months without seeing her husband." This practice of a wife leaving the royal residence is known in Swazi tradition as "kwemuka".Royal Delegation Sent to Nkandla
In line with eSwatini custom, when a wife "kwemuka," a delegation is typically dispatched by the husband to her family to request her return. Reports indicate that a royal team from eSwatini was allegedly sent to former President Jacob Zuma's homestead in Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal, to address the matter and negotiate Nomcebo's return to the palace. |
| Report: Jacob Zuma’s Daughter Allegedly Leaves King Mswati’s Palace Amidst Polygamy Challenges |
This follows an earlier delegation visit in July 2024 concerning the initial marriage proposal, where reports suggested Jacob Zuma was initially hesitant about the union.
Jacob Zuma's Reported Stance
Sources cited in reports suggest that former President Zuma has been reluctant to engage with the recent royal delegation, allegedly refusing to meet them. Insiders claim that Zuma had not supported the marriage from the outset but conceded due to his daughter's insistence. His reported current stance may indicate support for his daughter's decision to leave.Palace and Family Comments
When approached for comment by Swaziland News regarding the reported departure, King Mswati III's spokesperson, Percy Simelane, stated he was unaware of the incident. He clarified that his office handles the King's public affairs, not private family matters.King Mswati III is known to have multiple wives, with recent counts varying between 11 and 15, and numerous children, reflecting the traditional polygamous structure of the eSwatini monarchy. Efforts to obtain direct comment from the Zuma family regarding the situation have reportedly been unsuccessful.
The alleged departure highlights potential challenges faced within the traditional royal structure.
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