Ex-South African president Zuma's daughter to marry polygamous king and become his 16th wife

The 21-year-old daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma is set to marry the Eswatini king “for love” and become his 16th wife, a spokesman for Africa’s last remaining monarchy told BBC.

Nomcebo Zuma was present at the annual reed dance—a traditional celebration of passage for young women and girls—and was named as the liphovela (italics), meaning royal fiancee in Swati.

The days-long reed dance is a traditional rite of womanhood, with young women singing and dancing bare-chested, wearing traditional clothing that includes anklets and thick colourful tassels, some carrying mock swords and shields.

The 56-year-old Eswatini monarch, King Mswati II is currently in a polygamous arrangement with 11 wives—and has been married 15 times in total.

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The Eswatini monarchy spokesperson dismissed any suggestion of marriage being a political alliance. He said instead the marriage is happening because of love.

"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," he told the BBC’s Newsday programme.

King Mswati and the former South African president Zuma are already relatives through marriage.

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Eswatini king has been on the throne for the last 38 years and has been often accused of living a luxurious polygamous life while most of his people suffer in poverty.

Eswatini, previously known as Swaziland, has a population of 1.1 million and one of the world’s highest rates of HIV/Aids infection.

Zuma, on the other hand, resigned in disgrace over corruption allegations during his presidency and still faces a court case over the 1999 arms deal, though he denies wrong-doing. However, the 82-year-old is respected by his supporters for upholding his cultural and traditional Zulu beliefs.

The former South African president also had several wives and is thought to have 20 children.

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Nomcebo was dressed in the bright colours of the Eswatini kingdom on the last day of the reed dance on Monday. Also, known as the Umhlanga ceremony, it is intended to discourage those taking part from becoming sexually active at a young age.

This is not the first time that King Mswati III has chosen a young bride atthe Umhlanga ceremony. In 2005, he chose 17-year-old Phindile Nkambule as his wife, a few days after he had revoked a ban on sexual relations for girls younger than 18.

(With inputs from agencies)