President of Malawi to marry long-term partner

Malawi’s newly-elected President Peter Mutharika is to marry his long-term partner, a former lawmaker, his office said on Friday.
Mutharika (74) will wed Gertrude Maseko in a private function in Blantyre on June 21, followed by a traditional ceremony at his southern home village. The couple started appearing together in public last week.

His first wife, with whom he had three children, died 30 years ago.

“The State House is pleased to inform all Malawians about the traditional wedding of state President Peter Mutharika to his long-time friend and confidant Gertrude Maseko,” said a statement.

The leader of the Democratic Progressive Party was last month declared winner of the chaotic polls held on May 20, defeating Joyce Banda.
His brother, former president Bingu wa Mutharika who died in office in 2012, also re-married late in life, after the death of his wife. — Agencies