Maravi

(HERALD) PM's new wife: Family speaks

PM's new wife: Family speaks
Wednesday, 23 November 2011 00:00
Tendai Mugabe Senior Reporter

POLITICS will be kept out of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's marriage to Ms Locadia Karimatsenga Tembo as their families belong to rival political parties, Zanu-PF and MDC-T, a family spokesman said yesterday.

Sister to Ms Tembo, Cde Biata Beatrice Nyamupinga, who is also the Zanu-PF legislator for Goromonzi, said her sister was a hardworking woman capable of handling difficult situations.

Speculation heightened yesterday after Mr Tsvangirai paid lobola for Locadia, with some people saying the marriage was likely to compromise his political career given the Tembo family's Zanu-PF background.

Ms Tembo's late father Cde David Karimatsenga Tembo was a war veteran who joined the liberation struggle in the 1970s.

When he died in 1992, President Mugabe attended the funeral where he addressed mourners.

"My sister is a humble and hardworking person and we have confidence in her as a family that she can withstand all the pressure that comes with her new status.

"As a family, we do not mix politics and family matters. From our party (Zanu-PF) we have not heard anything bad about the marriage. In a family, we can choose to go to three different churches but that does not mean that we no longer belong to the same family."

Cde Nyamupinga said she was showered with congratulatory messages from fellow legislators at Parliament Building yesterday who were elated by the union.
She said her sister was a successful businessperson and her family depended on her.

"She is a quiet and reserved person, but she really loves people. As a family, we are really happy with what she has done."
PM Tsvangirai's spokesperson Mr Luke Tamborinyoka, who on Monday denied the marriage had taken place, last night said Mr Tsvangirai would inform the nation about his marriage at the appropriate time.

"If the Prime Minister decides to marry, he will inform the nation at the appropriate time," he said.
Ms Tembo once stayed in Mozambique in the 1970s when her father joined the liberation struggle.
She attended Alfred Beit Primary School in Harare before enrolling at St Paul's Musami High School.

Ms Tembo later transferred to Queen Elizabeth High School in Harare for her Advanced Level.
After high school, she enrolled at Speciss College where she attained a diploma in business management.

She is a commodity broker who used to supply goods to Makro in Harare and South Africa.
On Monday, Mr Tsvangirai paid US$36 000 and 15 cattle as lobola, five of which were commuted to cash.

Ms Tembo's aunt, Ms Felistas Tsine, said they were elated by the marriage.
She said the PM behaved as a cultured son-in-law throughout the proceedings.

Mr Tsvangirai's first wife, Susan, died in a car accident in 2009.

Labels: MORGAN TSVANGIRAI, ZANU-PF

posted by MrK @ 4:14 PM