Whether be it jokingly or seriously, the president of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, who was on Sunday quoted as saying he was in good health, has reportedly indicated he might be taking another wife.
The president who already has 4 wives with about 20 children speaking to a crowd of mainly the erdely at an event organized by Masiqhakaze (Let us shine) Women's Organisation, in the town of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, appeared to be joking when he reportedly made his intentions known in Zulu.
"Angakayakhi indlu yokugugela… laba ngisabathathile nje," the president said, which in English meant "I do have wives but I'm yet to marry my last one."
President Zuma has however denied the allegation that he mentioned taking a fifth wife. He said in a statement that the reporter from the Star may have misunderstood the president saying he did not have the home in which he will age, as the president's intention to marry yet again.
Some South African's were all for the idea of the president marrying a fifth, and so cheered him on, but others did not share in that sentiment and took to criticizing the president.
In any case, polygamy is a prevailing part of most African cultures. In Kenya, legislators have embarked on changing laws that will enable men to forgo the payment of dowry which will inevitably promote the custom of polygamy.
Most cultures in the west African country of Ghana till today, mandate that their chiefs take several wives under the believe that such custom will eventually allow for the birth of a strong heir. This custom was even more prominent in the olden days.
Nelson Mandela in his book, "A Long Walk to Freedom," generously describes the arrangements between his father and his 4 wives.
To the modern South African, 72 year old president Zuma's cultural practice of polygamy may be less of an issue as compared to the fact that his wives and children are taken care of by the country's budget.
In recent months, the president has been accused of using state funds to refurbish his private home. Reports allege an amount of about $21 million was used under the pretense of security measure to lavishly upgrade the president's home which among other complaints had a large pool added.
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