The eight-day-long reed dance is a traditional rite of passage into womanhood, where young women sing and dance bare-chested, dressed in traditional attire that includes anklets and vibrant, colourful tassels. Some participants also carry mock swords and shields.

King Mswati, who has ruled the Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) for 38 years, is allowed to marry multiple times.

Eswatini spokesman Alpheous Nxumalo told the BBC that Nomcebo and King Mswati III are "marrying for love," downplaying criticism about the age gap and political power play.

"Love has no eyes to see or count age. Love happens between two people. It can happen between a person who is 100 years old and a person who is above the average of what is permitted constitutionally," Nxumalo said.

A section of analysts had speculated that the marriage would strengthen political ties between the King and Zuma, who was president of South Africa from 2009 until 2018. The former Head of State, who is also polygamous and has been married six times, was forced to resign by his African National Congress party after a series of corruption allegations.

King Mswati, who has ruled the Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) for 38 years, is allowed to marry multiple times. He has been married 15 times. Two of King Mswati’s wives are deceased, while two others are divorced.

Nomcebo Zuma (3rd L) and one of the king’s daughters, Princess Sakhizwe (2nd L), sing and dance with other young women during the Umhlanga reed dance.