News / National
Buhera came to a standstill as Tsvangirai introduced wife to villagers
23 May 2012 at 12:25hrs | Views
Humanikwa village in Buhera came to standstill as Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai introduced his new wife Elizabeth Macheka to villagers and relatives in his home area at the weekend.
At least 800 villagers swarmed the Tsvangirai homestead to welcome the bride. Elizabeth, daughter to former Chitiungwiza mayor and Zanu-PF central committee member Joseph Macheka, traveled with the Prime Minister for the rural ceremony after their return from the United States of America where she accompanied the PM on a private visit.
Tsvangirai had paid bride price to the Macheka family the previous weekend and took his new-found love to his rural home last weekend for traditional rites. Tsvangirai's office is keeping the lobola figure under wraps. The bride participated in the traditional "unveiling ceremony" where she and her family were welcomed by the PM's mother, Lydia Tsvandirai.
The bride was showered by the groom's family at a ceremony marked with pomp and fanfare on Saturday night. On Sunday, there was an official announcement to villagers and relatives. A church service was also held on the same day to bless the union. There was a contingent of traditional leaders by acting Chief Makumbe. Among the crowd were PM's closest friends and aides, including couple, Ian and Theresa Makone.
Tsvangirai's latest marriage follows a botched engagement to Locadia Karimatsenga, whose sister is a lawmaker for President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF, in November last year. The 60-year-old former trade union leader, who spent a decade fighting Zanu-PF before entering a coalition with his long-time foe, President Mugabe, held a hurried traditional engagement ceremony in November in Mazowe where he paid US$36,000 in damages for Locadia. His spin-doctors later denied that he had married, even though the Karimatsenga family maintained that he had indeed married.
He appeared to have put all that behind at the weekend though, as he introduced his new lover. Tsvangirai told villagers and other guests gathered for the ceremony that he had closed that chapter. "I love my lady, I love my wife," he said.
Elizabeth blushed as the PM declared his love in a public show of affection. The couple's marriage ceremony means she will now officially join the PM's matrimonial household. Tsvangirai's first wife Susan, died in a tragic car accident in 2009, and his future wife is widowed. There is no official position of the PM's wife in government, although Tsvangirai introduced her fellow government leaders Mugabe and Vice President Joice Mujuru during a meeting on Monday. His wife has no constitutional role and is not eligible for any state funds.
At least 800 villagers swarmed the Tsvangirai homestead to welcome the bride. Elizabeth, daughter to former Chitiungwiza mayor and Zanu-PF central committee member Joseph Macheka, traveled with the Prime Minister for the rural ceremony after their return from the United States of America where she accompanied the PM on a private visit.
Tsvangirai had paid bride price to the Macheka family the previous weekend and took his new-found love to his rural home last weekend for traditional rites. Tsvangirai's office is keeping the lobola figure under wraps. The bride participated in the traditional "unveiling ceremony" where she and her family were welcomed by the PM's mother, Lydia Tsvandirai.
Tsvangirai's latest marriage follows a botched engagement to Locadia Karimatsenga, whose sister is a lawmaker for President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF, in November last year. The 60-year-old former trade union leader, who spent a decade fighting Zanu-PF before entering a coalition with his long-time foe, President Mugabe, held a hurried traditional engagement ceremony in November in Mazowe where he paid US$36,000 in damages for Locadia. His spin-doctors later denied that he had married, even though the Karimatsenga family maintained that he had indeed married.
He appeared to have put all that behind at the weekend though, as he introduced his new lover. Tsvangirai told villagers and other guests gathered for the ceremony that he had closed that chapter. "I love my lady, I love my wife," he said.
Elizabeth blushed as the PM declared his love in a public show of affection. The couple's marriage ceremony means she will now officially join the PM's matrimonial household. Tsvangirai's first wife Susan, died in a tragic car accident in 2009, and his future wife is widowed. There is no official position of the PM's wife in government, although Tsvangirai introduced her fellow government leaders Mugabe and Vice President Joice Mujuru during a meeting on Monday. His wife has no constitutional role and is not eligible for any state funds.
Source - dailynews
