A song and dance as Zuma marries for the fifth time

(AFP)

Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa, married for the fifth time yesterday, giving the Zulu traditionalist his third current wife.

The ceremony took place at Mr Zuma's traditional home in Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal province, where the 68-year-old President, in Zulu tribal dress, married Tobeka Madiba, 37.

"This is a traditional affair and there is a lot of dancing and celebrating. Later we will slaughter some animals and have a feast with the guests," said Mike Zuma, the President's brother.

Ms Madiba and Mr Zuma have three children together and were married according to South African law before yesterday's traditional ceremony. Hundreds of people were bused into the village in the morning, and the guests included cabinet ministers and other politicians.

Multiple marriages are allowed in South Africa and form part of Zulu culture, but the practice has drawn criticism from Aids activists in a country with one of the highest infection rates in the world.

Mr Zuma, whose tribe is South Africa's biggest, once said in a television interview: "There are plenty of politicians who have mistresses and children that they hide so as to pretend they are monogamous. I prefer to be open. I love my wives and I am proud of my children."

He is already married to Sizakele Zuma, 67, his first wife, whom he wed in 1973, and Nompumelelo Ntuli-Zuma, whom he married in 2007. He divorced the current Home Affairs Minister, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, in 1998, and another wife, Kate Mantsho-Zuma, committed suicide in 2000. He is also engaged to at least one other woman.