PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma will say "I do" to his latest bride in a "strictly family affair" today.

Zuma and Gloria Bongekile Ngema are expected to formalise their relationship in front of family and close friends at his Nkandla home in northern KwaZulu-Natal before celebrating at a private reception this evening.

Despite the heavy veil of secrecy thrown over the wedding preparations, yesterday's hive of activity in his village was a clear indication that hundreds of villagers would try to get a glimpse of today's nuptials.

Since news broke of the wedding a week ago, family members and close friends were ordered to remain tight-lipped on the details, with some being monitored while others were simply told to "keep quiet".

But some could not resist and openly said the wedding was scheduled to take place today and that a gleaming white marquee was being erected at the nearby Mnyakanya Stadium for the reception.

Ngema, a businesswoman who has a three-year-old child with Zuma, has not been kept a secret and has even been on official state business.

Ngema accompanied the president to France last year.

Those involved in the preparations said the family took a decision to have a private ceremony because Zuma and his new wife could not properly celebrate with journalists around to scrutinise his life.

Zuma has often been criticised for his polygamous lifestyle and at least 20 children.

Zuma's other wives are Sizakele Khumalo, Nompumelelo "MaNtuli" Zuma and Thobeka Stacey Mabhija.

He divorced Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma in 1998.

Another wife, Kate Zuma, committed suicide several years ago.

His three wives are expected to attend today's ceremony and will welcome Ngema and her family tomorrow afternoon.

She will then dance before the Zuma family and present them with gifts in a traditional ceremony called Umabo.

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Fri May 24 15:29:24 SAST 2013 ::

Apr 20, 2012

tibza

why women doesn't feel for themselves because really one is enough.........thanks God i am a man
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Apr 20, 2012

Papane

People, make comments.....
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Apr 20, 2012

maneater

" His three wives are expected to attend today's ceremony "
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hehehe some men are lucky my wif.e gets angry when we come across my old X girlfriend at the mall!!!!
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Apr 20, 2012

Sneijder

O e na o re tlhabisa dikgala cos we don't even know who is our first lady ke basadi ba ba million
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Apr 20, 2012

rasefatee

nxaa
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Apr 20, 2012

nyobannahle!!!

tibza
why women doesn't feel for themselves because really one is enough.........thanks God i am a man
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

money talks baba money talks
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Apr 20, 2012

ntiki

please sowetan give us the crisis story in rustenburg not this s**t
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Apr 20, 2012

Sneijder

maneater
" His three wives are expected to attend today's ceremony "
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hehehe some men are lucky my wif.e gets angry when we come across my old X girlfriend at the mall!!!

My bra ke re bakgeila le di photo tsa kgale mfwetho ga ba batle go bona le photo nyana e one my 21st birthday are gone
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Apr 20, 2012

maswaramafasabasadi

sis JZ nna u r not ma president, wat can i learn from u? absolutely nothing, i thnk u only have 1 skill................ sleeping around
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Apr 20, 2012

lis

AS USSSUAL THIS IS THE TYPE OF PRESIDENT THAT MALEMAS AND VAVI TOGETHR WITH BLADE WANTED. HOWZ GOING TO PAY FOR THIS. ITS HIGH TIME WE GET A PRESIDENT WITH HIGH VALUES AND MORAL AND STOP LYING BEHIND THE CULTURE.AMEN
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