Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe on Saturday hosted a lavish wedding for his only daughter Bona, days after festivities to mark his 90th birthday.
[full]South African President Jacob Zuma, Zambian President Michael Sata, Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema, and Ghana’s former president Jerry Rawlings were among the 5,000 guests at the reception at Mugabe’s residence in Harare.
Bona, the eldest child from Mugabe’s marriage to his second wife Grace, wed pilot Simba Chikore.
The wedding that was presided over by a Roman Catholic priest and partially broadcast by state media.
Although all diplomats were reportedly invited, television footage showed only African diplomats.
Chikore is believed to have paid 35,000 US dollars and 15 live cattle as pride price last year in keeping with the tradition of Mugabe’s Shona tribe.
The roads leading to Mugabe’s residence were re-tarred ahead of the event by Harare city council, prompting complaints from the public. Mugabe’s spokesman told dpa that the function was a private one and no state money was used.
Zimbabwe’s leader of 34 years turned 90 on February 21.[/full]