南非总统祖玛将迎娶第三位妻子

South Africa's President Jacob Zuma is set to marry his third wife.

南非总统雅各布·祖玛将要迎娶第三位妻子。

Thobeka Mabhija (2nd left) has already attended official events with her co-wives

Senior figures from the ruling ANC非洲民族会议, the trade union movement and the South African Communist Party are expected to attend, alongside family and friends.

Mr Zuma, a Zulu组鲁人, was meant to marry his fiance Thobeka Mabhija, 36, last year but the wedding was postponed¹ due to Mr Zuma's political commitments.

Correspondents say Mr Zuma's belief in the traditional practice of polygamy一夫多妻 has split South Africans.

Some support him but many younger people believe it should have no place in a modern society.

Mr Zuma married his first wife Sizakele Khumalo-Zuma, in 1973, and his second wife, Nompumelelo Ntuli-Zuma, two years ago. He is also divorced from Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

"The traditional wedding of President Jacob Zuma and Thobeka Mabhija tomorrow, 4 January, is a private family ceremony," said a statement from the presidency² on Sunday.

The office asked journalists to "allow the family the privacy that they are entitled to".

South African media reported that Mr Zuma's home in Nkandla, in the province of Kwa Zulu Natal³, was a hive蜂房，热闹的场所 of activity in the run-up to the ceremony.

When Mr Zuma, 66, was inaugurated正式就任，开始 as president in May, speculation推测，思索 was rife流行的，普遍的 about who would be the first lady.

Mr Zuma has attended some high-profile events with all his wives, including Ms Mabhija.

Mr Zuma paid ilobolo (dowry) to the Mabhija family two years ago.

Earlier this year, the Mabhija family sent gifts to the Zuma family, an indication that all matters regarding the wedding, including a date, had been set, reports say.

This will be Mr Zuma's fifth wedding.

One of his earlier wives, Kate Mantsho-Zuma, died in 2000.