By Agiza Hlongwane and Nathi Olifant
President Jacob Zuma's festering family drama has exploded into the public domain as his two youngest wives have been immersed in a fierce battle for one-upmanship.
On Saturday Zuma was due back in South Africa after a disastrous trip abroad with his scorned second wife, Nompumelelo Ntuli, amid embarrassing claims that she had an extramarital affair with her bodyguard.
A Zuma family member told the Tribune this week that the president's polygamous marriages were troubled from the start because of the rivalry between his wives.
The source said Zuma's first wife, the trusted MaKhumalo, had been caught in the middle of "these two brats" (MaNtuli and Thobeka Madiba).
Referring to the two, the source said: "They are wreaking havoc in the family and creating a rift at home, especially MaNtuli. She can't be called to order."
This week South African newspapers were filled with details of MaNtuli's tantrum upon hearing that Zuma had fathered his 20th child, out of wedlock, with Sonono Khoza.
MaNtuli was apparently also aggrieved that Thobeka was chosen to accompany Zuma on the state visit to Buckingham Palace in the UK, instead of her.
Her brothers confirmed with The Mercury newspaper on Friday that they had offered the Zuma family a goat. It was not clear whether the animal was offered to apologise for infidelity or an unspecified misdemeanour.
One of MaNtuli's friends said the president's second wife was made to feel "insecure" about her background, especially by the sophisticated Thobeka.
"She knows that they refer to her as an iqaba (an unsophisticated country bumpkin).
"She only makes matters worse because of the company she keeps."
Both the friend and the Zuma family member confirmed that MaNtuli worked as a waitress at the Hilton Hotel in Durban when she met Zuma around 2000.
Both said they were also aware of MaNtuli's relationship with her bodyguard, Phinda Thomo, from Soweto, who reportedly committed suicide in December.
The sex scandal has fuelled speculation about the paternity of MaNtuli's expected baby, believed to be Zuma's 21st child, which is apparently due in September. And the issue has prompted massive debate about polygamy, which reportedly drove one of Zuma's wives, Kate, to suicide in 2000.
This week an eminent Zulu cultural expert said women in polygamous marriages "have no right" to have extramarital affairs, unlike their husbands who can "negotiate" such a privilege.
Jabulani Maphalala has dismissed suggestions by feminists and callers to a radio station that MaNtuli's alleged infidelity was a "triumph for women".
"That is hogwash, spoken by people who don't know the African history of polygamy and where it comes from," Maphalala said.
Maphalala defended polygamy as a widely practised custom across the world, which, he claimed, had originated in Africa. He also noted that it was never a compulsory practice.
"A woman goes into a polygamous relationship voluntarily, knowing what she is letting herself into.
"In terms of norms, a man is the symbol of authority... It is unheard of for a woman to do as her husband does. There are unprintable words for that kind of behaviour."
Maphalala said that, in a Zulu cultural context, if a polygamous man wanted to take a second wife he was allowed to do so, considering this had received the blessing of his first wife.
"You consult the first wife, tell her what you plan to do and get her permission."
Deputy director of Gender Links Kobie Rama said cheating was unjustifiable.
"We should ask ourselves if these are the standards we have come to expect from our leadership. When we talk about the president, we should be talking about the policies and direction of our country. We should not be talking about the paternity of his children. I'm afraid we are having the wrong conversation."
People Opposed to Women Abuse (Powa) director Nhlanhla Mokoena said her organisation neither condones nor encourages promiscuity.
"However, people can do what they like with their lives and women are in control of their lives. Having said that, it must be borne in mind that engaging in promiscuity has its own dire consequences for women. Many of our clients who seek outside relationships have said that they do it because their partners are also doing it," said Mokoena.