Johannesburg:
South African President Jacob Zuma is all set to take his fourth wife, with whom he has been engaged for a number of years and also has a three-year-old son.
Mr Zuma, who turned 70 on April 12, will tie the knot again next weekend in a traditional ceremony in Nkandla, the media in Johannesburg reported today.
Gloria Bongekile Ngema, with whom Mr Zuma has a three-year-old son, will become the President's fourth wife after having been engaged to him for a number of years, the Sunday Times said.
Mr Zuma's spokesman Mac Maharaj was quoted as saying: "The President is to formalise his relationship with his fiancee, Ms Bongi Ngema, next week at a private traditional ceremony in Nkandla."
Last year, Ms Ngema, who has various academic qualifications including a business degree, joined Mr Zuma on a diplomatic trip to France, her first state visit. The privilege is usually reserved for the first lady.
But she may be the last bride Mr Zuma takes. At his lavish 70th birthday party in Durban on Friday evening, more than 1,000 guests watched a video montage in which he said his marrying days were over, according to the report.
Mr Zuma has married twice during his presidential term which began in May 2009. His other wives are Sizakele Khumalo, whom he met in 1959, Nompumelelo "MaNtuli" Zuma and Thobeka Stacey Mabhija.
He divorced Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma in 1998, and his another wife Kate Zuma committed suicide two years later.
Mr Zuma, who reportedly has 20 children, was born into a polygamous family. His father had two wives.