South Africa’s president to take a 4th wife in Monday ceremony, his office says

South Africa’s president to take 4th wife Monday

JOHANNESBURG — The South African president’s office says he is set to marry a fourth wife this week.

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

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

According to Zuma’s profile on the government’s presidential Web site, the 67-year-old leader already has three 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. He took office last May.