It’s now official!
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai will tie the knot with his newly-found love Elizabeth Macheka on September 15, the date the MDC-T leader “married” President Robert Mugabe by signing the Global Political Agreement in 2008, giving birth to the inclusive government.
According to a wedding invitation seen by NewsDay yesterday, Tsvangirai’s big day will be celebrated at an exclusive venue in Borrowdale, Harare.
“The honour of your presence is requested at the marriage ceremony of the Right Honourable Prime Minister of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Mr Morgan Richard Tsvangirai, and Elizabeth Macheka, Saturday 15 September 2012 at Rain-Tree, Umwinsidale, Harare, Zimbabwe,” reads part of the invitation card.
Tsvangirai (60) and Macheka (35) would be joining hands in holy matrimony three years after the Premier lost his first wife, Susan, in a horrific car accident in 2009. Tsvangirai had six children with his late wife. The wedding comes exactly five months after the two got engaged at an upmarket restaurant along Enterprise Road in Harare.
Tsvangirai is already customarily married to Macheka, the daughter Zanu PF Central Committee member and former Chitungwiza executive mayor Joseph Macheka. Since the death of his wife, Tsvangirai was allegedly linked to several women before he finally settled for Macheka.
Six months earlier, the MDC-T leader was forced to halt marriage proceedings with his previous girlfriend, businesswoman Locardia Karimatsenga -Tembo, sister of Goromonzi Zanu PF MP Biata Beatrice Nyamupinga. Tsvangirai terminated the relationship in exactly 24 hours, claiming it had been hijacked by the media and State intelligence agents.
It was the same relationship that culminated into an embarrassing public conflict with Chief Negomo, Lucius Chitsinde, who wanted to fine him for marrying in the traditionally “forbidden month” of November. The case is still before the Supreme Court.
Macheka — a widow whose first husband Mabasa Simba Guma died 10 years ago in a car accident — is a businesswoman who reportedly owns a beauty salon in Harare. NewsDay