South Africa’s president to marry 3rd wife in traditional ceremony Monday, his office says

Zuma to marry 3rd wife in traditional ceremony

JOHANNESBURG — The South African president’s office says he is set to formalize his marriage to his third wife in a traditional wedding ceremony this week.

In a statement released Sunday, the presidency said President Jacob Zuma and Tobeka Madiba will take part Monday in a private family ceremony.

The office requested that media “allow the family the privacy that they are entitled to.”

Madiba attended Zuma’s inauguration ceremony in May. The president also has two other wives and 19 children.

Zuma’s embrace of Zulu tradition — including polygamy — has endeared him to many South Africans. Still, many younger people consider polygamy old-fashioned and expensive, and question how it can endure in a modern country.