Zuma wishes Wittstock well

Pretoria - South African President Jacob Zuma has sent the nation's good wishes to its former swimming champ Charlene Wittstock as she prepared to marry Monaco's Prince Albert II, his office said Friday.

"On behalf of government and the people of South Africa, the president wishes the couple well with their nuptials and their life together as man and wife, and extends good wishes to Ms Wittstock in particular, as she prepares to assume royal responsibilities," the presidency said in a statement.

Zuma is attending the African Union summit in Equatorial Guinea this week, but sent Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk to represent his government at the wedding, the statement said.

Wittstock and Albert will hold a civil service on Friday, followed by a very public Catholic religious ceremony on Saturday, which will be broadcast live on South African television.