South Africa Asks: Who Will Be First Lady?

Zuma has two wives and a fiancée, but only one can have the title

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 30, 2009 7:19 AM CDT

(Newser) – In a few days Jacob Zuma will become president of South Africa—but who will become the country's first lady is less certain. The African National Congress leader, who has two wives and a fiancée, will be the first avowed polygamist to serve as the country's head of state. Yet as the Wall Street Journal reports, protocol means that only one wife can be first lady and get the perks that come with the office.

The first Mrs. Zuma, whom he married in 1975, lives in the countryside far from the capital city of Pretoria, but thinks she's a shoo-in for the slot—after all, her hut is bigger than that of wife No. 2, who is 30 years his junior. But then there's also the thirtysomething socialite to whom he recently paid a bride-price. Some social advocates are enraged that a polygamist will be president, but Zuma's first wife defends the practice: "If he's able to treat us equally, then it's not hard."

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This Jan. 5, 2008 file photo shows Jacob Zuma, left, with his 33 year-old wife Nompumelelo Ntuli, right, dancing during their Zulu traditional wedding in Nkandla, South Africa. (AP Photo/File)

ANC president Jacob Zuma's fiancee Nompumelelo Ntuli, 34, raises her fist in victory after her husband cast his ballot for general elections in Kwanxamalala, South Africa, Wednesday April 22, 2009. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

African National Congress presidential candidate Jacob Zuma reacts at the Independent Electoral Commission result center in Pretoria, South Africa, Saturday April 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

African National Congress presidential candidate Jacob Zuma speaks during a media conference at the Independent Electoral Commission result center in Pretoria, South Africa, Saturday April 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

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There are plenty of politicians who have mistresses and children that they hide so as to pretend they're monogamous. I prefer to be open. I love my wives and I'm proud of my children. - Jacob Zuma, president-elect
of South Africa

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South Africa Asks: Who Will Be First Lady?