Khulubuse Zuma is one step closer to becoming Swazi king Mswati III’s brother in-law, following the delivery of umbondo (pre-wedding gifts exchange ceremony).
|||Durban - Controversial businessman Khulubuse Zuma is one step closer to becoming Swazi king Mswati III’s brother in-law, following the delivery of umbondo (pre-wedding gifts exchange ceremony) at his 50-room homestead in Nkandla on Saturday.
The homestead, divided into eight blocks including a rondavel and a kraal with four beasts, is located a stone’s throw from President Jacob Zuma’s homestead.
Zuma is due to marry Fikisiwe Dlamini, the younger sister of King Mswati – he infamously bought her a Maserati in 2011, which then cost well over R1 million, while many of his employees had not been paid for months at his Aurora mine.
On Saturday, Zuma, puffing on an electronic cigarette, dismissed media reports that the couple would marry in October.
“The date has not even been decided on. I don’t know where all those reports are coming from,” he said.
He also dismissed reports that he had asked for a R50 000 fee for television coverage of the wedding. “Where is all of that coming from?”
After offering a small media contingent drinks and meat, Zuma politely made it clear that he didn’t want the media on his property, citing privacy.
Ushering the media to a giant gazebo, he said: “Make yourselves comfortable have some meat and drinks and then kindly leave us because you’re not invited”.
Dressed in a brown Afro shirt, blue jeans and matching designer shoes, Zuma loomed large and in charge. He was in a buoyant mood, welcoming guests, high-fiving the locals and ensuring that all were catered for. But he took issue with the media’s presence.
“Who invited you here?” he asked.
“This is a private event. I’m just an ordinary person, but you guys have me known. I can’t even go anywhere without being noticed.
“You guys always write the wrong things, that’s why you must leave.”
He added: “This house was built with not a single cent from a tender.”
As the sounds of Mississippi-born rapper Rick Ross’s music permeated the dusty, tranquil and sparsely populated village of KwaNxamalala, Zuma took issue with the song selection.
He shouted: “Hey, please change that and put on (late maskandi artist) Mfazomnyama or Soul Brothers. Music that I can understand. Not this thing of yours.”
He then got on his quad bike, riding around the house.
Later, after shaking hands with an old friend, with whom he survived a car accident years ago, Zuma turned to the media: “Can you see how good life is? Life is good. Not this negative stuff you guys write about.
“After you've eaten the meat you’ll have to leave. Enjoy yourselves, but you’re leaving soon.”
Later, after welcoming yet another batch of friends, he said, “I have to groove, I have to enjoy my life in case God takes me away tomorrow.”
Shortly after 1pm, with some of his security men surveying the area ahead of his arrival, the media contingent were ordered into a Dodge SUV and driven off the property.
Fikisiwe arrived by helicopter shortly afterwards.
Sunday Tribune