#mugabe’s daughter weds in lavish ceremony

via Mugabe’s daughter weds in lavish ceremony | News24 2014-03-02

The daughter of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe was married in a lavish ceremony in big white marquee on the grounds of her family’s $20m Borrowdale mansion in Harare on Saturday, say reports.

According to the The Zimbabwean Mail, Mugabe and his wife Grace walked the bride down the aisle.

IOL reported on Sunday that Bona Mugabe’s wedding to Simbarashe Chikore was attended by thousands including President Jacob Zuma.

The event is said to have cost millions of rands with various African artists including Zahara, the Soweto String Quartet, Koffi Olomide from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zimbabwean artists Jah Prayzah and Sulumani Chimbetu providing the entertainment.

The report said that while a total of 68 sitting and former heads of state and government were invited, sources in government said only about 10 attended.

The Mail said kilometres of road linking the vast residence to the local country club have been newly tarred at a cost to the bankrupt Harare municipality of about $1m.

Zuma’s presence at the Saturday ceremony has been regarded in some circles as a snub to the organisers of the Westminster Abbey memorial service for Nelson Mandela  planned for Monday.

According to the Sunday Times, Zuma sent his deputy Kgalema Motlanthe to London in his place and instead paid a visit to a Free State chicken farm on Friday before flying out to attend the wedding.

About 1 800 people, including British Prime Minister David Cameron and Prince Harry are expected to attend the service.