South Africa president Zuma prepares for fifth wife

JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- South African President Jacob Zuma's homestead in rural Kwa Zulu-Natal province was a hive of activity this week as he prepared to tie the knot with his fifth wife Thobeka Mabhija on Monday, the Sunday Times newspaper in Johannesburg reported.

In this June 3, 2009 file photo, South African president Jacob Zuma, second right, seen with his wives Sizakele Khumalo, right, Nompumelo Ntuli, left, and Tobeka Madiba, second left, after giving the State of the Nation address, at parliament in Cape Town, South Africa. (AP Photo/Mike Hutchings, Pool, File)

A large marquee has been erected to accommodate dozens of VIP guests, the local community, traditional leaders and the bride's family.

Several goats and sheep have already been slaughtered for the feast, and busloads of villagers from the surrounding area are expected to arrive for the feast. Zuma will officially vow to love and protect his newest wife in a Zulu ceremony known as an udwendwe.

The ceremony is scheduled to begin as early as 6 a.m. local time on Monday.

The Sunday Times understands that some of the VIP guests expected at the wedding include South African Higher Education minister Blade Nzimande, union federation Cosatu secretary-general Zwelinzima Vavi, Kwa Zulu-Natal premier Zweli Mkhize and Durban businessman Vivian Reddy.

Zuma paid lobolo, a traditional gift to the bride's family, to 37-year-old Mabhija in 2007. She has borne three of his children.

The 68-year-old president has been married at least four times and is father to more than a dozen children.

Zuma is still married to his first wife Sizakele Khumalo whom he met in 1959. She has no children with Zuma as he was arrested shortly after their marriage and had to spend many years in exile.