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By NOKUZOLA THWALA Ludzidzini | 2024-09-04
THE 2024 Reed Dance Ceremony ended on a high note as over 100 000 colourfully dressed maidens packed the arena at Ludzidzini Royal Residence, singing and dancing before Their Majesties yesterday.
This was during the last day of this year’s Umhlanga Reed Dance where they were led by Inkhosatana Princess Sakhizwe and acting Imbali leader Bongiwe ‘Vivane’ Hlatjwako.’
The enthusiastic imbali as usual drew the attention of many as even the stands at the arena were filled. Spectators included parents, locals, international tourists and many others.
The week leading up to yesterday was an eventful one for the regiment who gladly responded to the call by His Majesty the King to participate.
Royal families represented included Ghana, Botswana, the Ndebele, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga.
The day started immediately after His Majesty King Mswati III, Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Emakhosikati, Sigodlo and more arrived at the venue.
As much as the estimated numbers couldn’t be confirmed, they were impressive.
The maidens’ spirits were not deterred as they performed exceptionally well before Their Majesties during the colourful and auspicious occasion.
Colourful
Clad in colourful regalia 100 per cent handmade to perfection, making maidens proud and confident to be part of the ceremony.
The beaded skirt is also made by women, who share their skill with younger maidens so that there is no break in the transformation of culture.
The Master of Ceremonies Shiselweni Regional Commissioner Wendy Hleta and Elangeni Inkhosatana Lieutenant General Tsembeni Magongo noted that the maidens came from all four regions of the country.
They called for respect among the maidens, spectators and guests.
Hleta also appreciated Their Majesties for allowing the reed dance festivities to take place so that the culture is not forgotten. She said they ensured that the future of the country was reserved as the maidens were part of it.
Emakhosikati LaMotsa, Langangaza, LaGija, LaMagongo, LaMahlangu, LaNtentesa, LaNkambule, LaFogiyane and LaMashwama were part of the proceedings.
Emazinyane, Balondolozi, members of the Royal family, members of the diplomatic corps, and the king’s guests were thoroughly entertained.
Liphovela decorated with red feathers, impresses
LIPHOVELA Nomcebo Zuma danced impressively alongside the Ludzidzini Royal Residence maidens known as Juluka, decorated with red feathers; emagwalagwala.
From Ummiso to kugiya, she danced along during the well-choreographed and colourful performances, with many assuming that she is a native Liswati.
Ending the dancing on a high note, she impressed many who were intrigued by her smooth dancing, she danced with sigodlo to this year’s popular song ‘Halala’.
The lyrics of the song ‘ngicela ningibongiseni halala, kuze kwahlangana’, loosely translated to ‘please come share my joy and appreciate with me as things have come together for me,’ sent some tongues wagging, speculating that it was composed for or by Liphovela.
Members of the public and other maidens enjoyed the song such that they continued singing and dancing until Incangosi was sung, marking the end of Day Six series of activities and Their Majesties left the arena.
Dance
“I am a Swati and I know that Emaswati express their feelings and emotions through songs, in our culture a lot is hidden in songs. It is clear to many of us as we were discussing earlier what this song means,” said Lisakhanya Dlamini.
Sebenzile Dlamini said when she first heard the song, she thought the maidens were appreciating the gifts from Their Majesties.
However, after paying attention to the lyrics, her thinking changed. Other maidens joined them, displaying different traditional dances performed by maidens well dressed in colourful traditional regalia.
Nations
Zulu nation King Misuzulu kaZwelithini, former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo, Nkandla Chief Ngxamalala, African Continental Free Trade Area Secretary general Wamkele Mene, Congress of the Traditional Leaders of South Africa President Kgoshi Metupe Mokoena, who is also Mpumalanga House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders Chairperson, were the king’s guests enjoying the perfomances.
Other notable dignitaries were from South Africa and other countries.
The excitement reached its peak when the king accompanied by princes, guests and Lacwebetelako stepped unto the arena to express their appreciation for the singing and dancing.
Ndlunkulu kaMyeni joins maidens
ZULU King Misuzulu’s wife Ndlunkulu Nomzamo kaMyeni joined maidens from KwaZulu-Natal in dancing 'Ndabezitha, wena weSilo'.
She ignited the fire in and other Zulu guests, including warriors.
Dressed in a red kanga, traditional pleated skirt sidvwaba, yellow tassled cloth, and sicholo with great colourful beadwork.
After she left the arena, the maidens sang 'wanyakaz'uMkhonto wenkonyane kaNdaba,' which had the KwaZulu warriors going wild, raising and hitting their shields in uniformity and collectively, and other maidens joined in dancing.
They came and enjoyed Eswatini where cultural coordination is experienced.
King’s guests adhere to uyezwa na!
HIS Majesty King Mswati III’s guests also adhered to uyezwa na!, the call for the maidens to participate in this year’s reed dance.
They sent maidens to participate in the week-long event as well, and some traditional leaders came in person. These included traditional leaders from Mpumalanga, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
These were King Misuzulu kaZwelithini, Congress of the Traditiobnal Leaders of South Africa (CONTRALESA) Kgoshi Metupe Mokoena, Prince Msutfu, Prince Sisitwako II, Inkosi Bhekiziswe Mthethwa, Mjindini Inkhosikati LaNdzimandze, Mbhuleni Inkhosikati LaZikalala, Msogwaba Inkhosikati LaShongwe, Lomshiyo Princesses, Mawewe Princess Sihle and others.
Other guests included former Nigerian president Olusegan Obasanjo, former Botswana president Sir Ian Khama, Nguni King Zambia, Inkandla Chief Ngcxamalala, Prince Jongisile, Prince Bhungaliwule and others.
Acting Prime MinisterThuli Dladla, cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament, members of the advisory councils and other dignitaries were also present.
Zulu King, ex-presidents pay courtesy call to His Majesty
KING Misuzulu kaZwelithini and two former African states presidents paid a courtesy call to His Majesty King Mswati III at Ludzidzini Royal Residence yesterday.
First to arrive was former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo who met the king, shared a light moment in the presence of the former statesman’s delegation, Prince Lindani and acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mabulala Maseko.
Former Botswana President Sir Ian Khama also paid a courtesy call to the king.
The Zulu king also followed suit ahead of the main Reed Dance Ceremony.
This was while Zulu warriors sang and danced.
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