This April, 15 African first ladies were invited to LA for a summit to discuss women's access to health and education, HIV/AIDS, and other challenges. Some of the attendees included first ladies from Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Kenya, Nigeria, and Zamibia. With the first lady syndrome phenomenon, more African first ladies are taking initiative to promote their own agendas in their capacities as first ladies.
In a continent, where polygamy is still prevalent in many regions in some countries, the battle to become a first lady can become competitive. While Jacob Zuma's victory was anticipated by most, as South Africa's first polygamist president, which one of his three wives Zuma would be selected as his first lady remained a mystery. In the end, he introduced his eldest wife, Sizakele Khumalo, at his inauguration, although another wife was present at the ceremony as well.
Zuma's not alone. President Kibaki's polygamous marriage was divulged a year into his presidency when a local newspaper wrote a column about his second wife. The king of Swaziland beats both Kibaki and Zuma with 14 wives. When there's so much mobilization to promote gender equality both globally and at home by the ANC, what kind of message is relayed when the President has 3 wives?
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