South Africa's political and business elite as well as hundreds of villagers in traditional dress on Monday  gathered for President Jacob Zuma's fifth wedding in his remote home village.
   

Three large tents were erected for the "udendwe" wedding ceremony under overcast skies in Zuma's rural homestead in Nkandla, deep in the countryside of KwaZulu-Natal province. During the service, his 37-year-old bride Thobeka Madiba will be introduced  to the elders as well to ancestors, two years after 67-year-old Zuma paid a dowry to her family, a gift known as "ilobolo". Several sheep, goats and cows have already been slaughtered for the feast to follow.
   

Media were kept a distance from the proceedings, but buses transporting the guests were seen outside Zuma's house. Local villagers, many dressed in animal skins and African prints, walked along muddy trails to the ceremony.
   

Madiba, who reportedly already has three children with Zuma, attended the president's inauguration in May, where she was treated as one of the country's three first ladies. Since then, she has attended official functions and is referred to in the media as Thobeka Madiba-Zuma. She will become his third current wife. One of Zuma's wives, Kate Mantsho Zuma, committed suicide in 2000.
   

In 1998, Zuma divorced Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, but she remains in his inner circle as she is currently home affairs minister.
   

Even while preparations for this wedding were underway, Zuma is reportedly preparing for his sixth marriage. Earlier this week, a gift-giving ceremony was held signalling that he had paid ilobolo for his latest fiancee, Bongi Ngema.
   

Swazi princess

Zuma has also been linked to a Swazi princess, but has given no clear indication that he plans to wed her.
   

Monday's wedding is to take place in private under heavy police presence, but the couple are expected to make a public appearance so that Zuma can introduce his wife to the community.
   

Polygamy is legally recognised in South Africa, but is mostly practised in rural areas of the country. The practice came under the spotlight before the 2009 presidential elections, when Zuma's polygamous lifestyle became a topic of discussion, especially amongst women's rights activists.
   

Media and political analysts also debated the issue, but their attention focused mainly on logistical matters such as security arrangements and medical costs for treating his large family.
   

Zuma is still married to his first wife Sizakele Khumalo, whom he has known for 50 years and married in 1973.

Source: AFP
Photo: El Enigma (Flickr CC)