On Friday, news broke that Nonkanyiso Conco and Zuma are to wed when she confirmed the news to TimesLive. She would not be drawn any further, adding only that both families had met for lobola negotiations.
She will become the former president’s fifth current wife, alongside Sizakele Khumalo-Zuma, Tobeka Madiba-Zuma, Gloria Bongi Ngema-Zuma, and – although estranged after accusations of infidelity and her alleged involvement in a supposed plot to poison Zuma – Nompumelelo Ntuli-Zuma.
Here are five things we do know about Nonkanyiso Conco so far:
1. She has a child with Msholozi
Nonkanyiso Conco reportedly gave birth to a baby boy on April 12 this year – which in a happy coincidence also happens to be Zuma’s birthday.
2. She was likely a student at Varsity College
Although it’s unclear what she was studying, a LinkedIn profile bearing her name and profile picture indicates that Nonkanyiso Conco was a student at the institution’s Durban campus from 2013 to 2015.
3. She works for the Nomkhubulwane Culture and Youth Development Organisation
According to TimesLive, Nonkanyiso Conco is a director at the organisation, which aims to protect “cultural practices of Zulu maidens”.
4. She is passionate about cultural practices.
“First, those Indian and white women should go through virginity testing in a traditional way. I get tested every month. As we were waiting to collect the reeds, police pushed us aside to open a space for Ella to pick up the reed ahead of us and lead us. I felt undermined and insulted,” Conco told IOL, in a piece about why the reed dance shouldn’t allow women of other races to participate.
5. She is in her mid-twenties
Most reports have given Conco’s age as 24; others insist she’s 26. Either way, she will be the youngest of 76-year-old Zuma’s wives.
Source: HuffPost
