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Linda Muriro Herald Reporter—
First the bad news. Today’s nuptials of Miss Bona Mugabe — daughter of President Mugabe and the First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe — and Mr Simba Chikore, will not be a public event. Now for the good news. The wedding will be broadcast live on national television from about 1pm to 4pm.
Naturally, only invited guests and accredited personnel will attend Zimbabwe’s wedding of the year at the First Family’s home in Borrowdale, Harare. That is at least 4 000 invited guests.
This, again naturally, is to safeguard security at the First Residence and out of respect of the wishes of the wedding couple.
President Mugabe and Amai Mugabe’s 1996 wedding was a public event down in Zvimba, and Zimbabweans from all walks of life were invited to attend, which they did.
It appears people were expecting a repeat of the same.
But Mr Chikore and Miss Mugabe have opted for a more controlled gathering as they are both not public office bearers.
In an exclusive interview yesterday, Presidential Spokesperson and Secretary for Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Mr George Charamba said both the bride and her groom insisted on a private function, rather than a State arrangement that would have been open to all comers.
“First and foremost, this a private wedding uniting the Mugabe and Chikore families. Never mind that the bride happens to be the daughter of the President of Zimbabwe.
“That means we have to strike a balance between the public office of the father and the mother of the bride, and on the other hand the sheer private nature of the day. For that reason we have kept the structures of governance out of the equation in deference to family structures.
“Secondly, we are also aware that the bride and the groom have insisted on the right to privacy in the circumstances, something which we must all respect,” said Mr Charamba.
He said his office had been inundated with calls from people requesting to be part of the grand occasion.
“We have received several calls from different media houses as well as ordinary Zimbabweans desirous of attending the wedding of the Chikore couple.
“We recognise the wish and aspiration and also the fact that such enquiries have had to come through the Press Secretary to the President and Cabinet. However, we have to recognise the following factors which ultimately shape the event.
“The venue of the wedding is a peculiar one. It is not a public place. It is actually within the grounds of the home of the First Family and this is a home which is distinct from the official residence of the President.
“You might recall that the land on which that home stands was bought by the party, Zanu-PF, for their leader. Not a single cent came from the State.”
He went on to say that though the parents of the bride are public figures, the Mugabe Family deserved to have their private moments just like any other family, and within the confines of their own personal space.
“Secondly, the structures which have become the private home of the First Family were painstakingly put up through a combination of private savings and donations from well-wishers. That makes the place not just a house for now, but a home for all times for the Mugabes, in and out of office.
“That immediately raises security concerns not just in the present, but for all times. So access to the venue of the wedding can neither be random nor unlimited.
“Thirdly to the extent that this is a wedding event, the images there from are necessarily private, with their release, use and consumption being strictly on the terms of the bride and the groom. I know that the wish of most Zimbabweans and the media would have wanted access. Unfortunately, this may not always be possible.
“However, we pleaded with the couple and First Family to allow a live cast of the solemnisation ceremony and that means from about one o’ clock until the end of the ceremony, Zimbabweans will be able to watch proceedings from the comfort of their homes.”
It is expected that the actual marriage ceremony will be between 2pm and 4pm, with the reception starting at 6pm right until 6am on Sunday.
France-based rumba icon Koffi Olomide is billed to lead the entertainment with Zimbabwe’s leading gospel couple, the Charambas providing local flavour.
VVIPs are also coming in.
While organisers are keeping the programme close to their chest, it is understood that South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma will pay a “working visit” to Zimbabwe today, at least according to his Department of International Relations.
While on his “working visit”, President Zuma will be in attendance.
“South Africa and Zimbabwe share common historical and geographical bonds as demonstrated by the strong economic co-operation between the two countries,” International Relations spokesperson Mr Clayson Monyela reportedly said yesterday.
There were other unconfirmed reports yesterday that the Presidents of Zambia (Cde Michael Sata) and Namibia (Cde Hifikepunye Pohamba), as well as Former Presidents Cde Kenneth Kaunda (Zambia) and Cde Thabo Mbeki (South Africa) would be represented in some capacity at the wedding.
Diplomats accredited to Zimbabwe are understood to be among invited dignitaries.
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