PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe has invited more than 6,000 guests to his wedding next Saturday to his former presidential secretary, Ms Grace Marufu (31).
Dr Mugabe (72) told the official Sunday Mail that President Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique would be his best man at the wedding.
The Zimbabwean president has also invited President Mandela of South Africa, President Sam Nujoma of Namibia, and the President of Botswana, Sir Ketumile Masire, to the wedding at his rural home in Zvimba, 100 km northwest of Harare.
Dr Mugabe was widowed in early 1992 when his wife of 32 years, Sally, died from a kidney ailment. But he reportedly remarried Ms Marufu in an African traditional ceremony months later.
The couple have two children, aged nine and seven, but have rarely appeared in public together.
The first official picture of Dr Mugabe and Ms Marufu together was published by the Sunday Mail yesterday, as were their first interviews on their coming wedding.
Ms Marufu said she would not take part in Zimbabwean politics, unlike the late Sally Mugabe, who was leader of the women's league in Dr Mugabe's ruling ZANU PF party. "I do not think I would like to be a politician, I have children to look after," she said, emphasising she felt greatly honoured to marry Dr Mugabe.