If the dictum 'Behind every great man, there is a great woman' holds true, President Jacob Zuma is set to ooze greatness. That, or he's marrying the wrong women.

While Zuma is by no means the only world leader who follows a polygamist lifestyle, the others tend to be kings not presidents. And, with the exception of our well-wedded Swazi neighbour, they tend to reside in the Gulf.

It is not surprising, therefore, that the public's interest is piqued when the country's first proudly-polygamist president weds yet another wife. More so, no doubt, after the Presidency recently admitted to R65-million-plans to extend Zuma's compound at Nkandla to accommodate his wives.

So, what, exactly, is Msholozi's current wife count?

Current wives

Gertrude Sizakele Khumalo

Zuma met his first wife, affectionately known as MaKhumalo, in 1959. However, the two only married after Zuma was released from prison, in 1973. Zuma went into exile shortly afterwards and the two spent very little of their early married life together. They have no children. Sizakele Khumalo, who presides over the homestead in Nkandla, rarely appears in public.

Nompumelelo MaNtuli

Born after Zuma married his first wife, in 1975, the young ANC activist and former nurse married Zuma in 2007. She has a young daughter and son with Zuma and spends her time moving between a Durban home and the homestead at Nkandla.

Thobeka Madiba

Previously known as Thobeka Mabhija (her mother's surname), 37-year-old Thobeka Madiba is Zuma's newest bride, having married the president on 4 January 2010. Although the two only recently married, they have been together for over ten years. A well-dressed Durban socialite, Madiba's professional career spans stints at Standard Bank, Cell C and SA Homeloans. Strangely, reports regarding the number of children the couple has vary — while the majority of reports suggest two children, some claim three.

Past wives

Kate Mantsho

Zuma married Kate Mantsho, a Mozambican airline staffer, in 1976 during his period in exile. The couple had five children together. Kate committed suicide in December 2000, allegedly following strained relations with Zuma.

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma

Currently the Home Affairs minister in Zuma's cabinet, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma was a medical officer in paediatrics at Swaziland's Mbabane Government Hospital when she met the exiled Zuma. The two married in the 1980s and have four daughters. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and Zuma got divorced in 1998 citing "irreconcilable differences".

Future wives and girlfriends

Gloria Bongi Ngema

The president's latest fiancée, Gloria Bongi Ngema, recently presented Zuma's family with gifts at Nkandla, indicating that ilobolo had been paid to her family in full. There is speculation that she will marry Zuma in 2011. Zuma and Bongi Ngema have a three-year-old son.

Sebentile Dlamini

Although Zuma paid 10 cattle as ilobolo for the Swazi Princess Sebentile Dlamini, granddaughter of King Sobhuza III, in 2002, the marriage never took place.

Minah Shongwe

Zuma was never married to Minah Shongwe (the sister of Judge Jeremiah Shongwe); however, the two had an affair 30 years ago resulting in a son called Edward.

Based on the above relationships, the tally of Jacob Zuma's children should sit at either 15 or 16 (depending on which report you believe). However, a fairly recent ANC press release indicated that Zuma had 19 children, suggesting that the above list is not as comprehensive as we would like it to be. Unfortunately, Jacob Zuma likes to keep his not-so-private life, well, private.

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