Bona Mugabe to wed on March 1

The daughter of President Robert Mugabe, Bona Mugabe is set to tie the knot with pilot, Simba Chikore on March 1 at the first family's posh home in Borrowdale Brooke at an event expected to be graced by several African leaders.

Sources say the logistics have been put in place, with a massive tent already pitched at Mugabe's home.

Mugabe family spokesperson, Kaitano Mugabe confirmed the developments, but was quick to say the wedding date was subject to change depending on the logistics.

"Preparations have gathered momentum. We have set March 1 as the provisional date, but please note that because we may change it," Mugabe said.

"The bridal party is there this weekend, we will meet after that to look at how far the logistics we may change it," Kaitano said.

"The bridal party is there this weekend, we will meet after that to look at how far the logistics have gone and then provide a concrete date."

Presidential spokesperson George Charamba was not available for comment as he was away in Malawi with the president, while the First Lady's information chief Lawrence Kamwi could not be reached for comment.

No less than 5 000 guests have been invited, among them, "most African  heads of state and government" although no names were available at the time of going to press last night.

"The bridal shower is on this Saturday at Iron Mask in Mazowe. They have also decided on ivory, pink and cream as the theme colours. The wedding will be held at the family home in Borrowdale Brooke," an insider said yesterday.

Iron Mask Farm is owned by Grace and home to the up-market Amai Mugabe Christian High School, which is nestled in the rolling mountains of Mazowe, as well as an orphanage funded by the First Lady.

Mugabe received $35 000 and 15 head of cattle in bride price (lobola) for his daughter Bona, in a traditional marriage ceremony which took place in August. The son-in law Simba Chikore, is a pilot with the Emirates Airlines who is also a Zaoga (Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Africa) church member.

Press reports suggest Bona Mugabe and Chikore's relationship started and blossomed two years ago when she boarded a plane he was flying on her way to Dubai. Sources say they exchanged numbers and later became friends.

However, the friendship developed into an affair until Simba was introduced to the First Family last year. President Mugabe asked Chikore in person whether he was serious about the affair to which he responded positively.

First Lady Grace Mugabe last year torched controversy after publicly claiming that her daughter had never slept with any man and dismissed as lies online reports in 2010 alleging that her daughter had been raped in Singapore after a student party. Many felt she had unnecessarily embarrassed her daughter.

Bona's marriage is a clean break from her mother Grace Marufu who had an affair with Mugabe while his wife Sally was dying of a kidney ailment. The affair resulted in two children, Bona, named after Mugabe's mother, and Robert Peter, Jr.