Times Of Swaziland: NO MARCHING; BUT BUSES, TRUCKS FOR INGATJA

NO MARCHING; BUT BUSES, TRUCKS FOR INGATJA
================================================================================
BY SIBUSISO SHANGE  on 30/12/2020 23:48:00


NGABEZWENI - His Majesty King Mswati III yesterday commissioned young boys
(Ingatja) to fetch lusekwane under strict conditions.
Speaking through Indvuna Qomentanyeni Magagula, the King stated that this
year’s Incwala Ceremony would be celebrated under the new normal due to
COVID-19.
“Listen carefully, as we fight the COVID-19 war, it is very important that we
wash our hands with soap and running water, wear our masks properly, and
maintain social distancing. Together we shall win the battle against the virus
if we adhere to the health regulations,” the King warned Ingatja.
The King stated that some warriors and Ingatja remained at home in order to
minimise the spread of the virus.
His Majesty said the pandemic did not mean warriors should not put effort.
Different
“Bring quality shrubs (nibuye nalolodliwa tindlovu majaha).  This year will be
different due to COVID-19. You will be transported straight to Esikhaleni
Selusekwane in buses and trucks. However, things will be back to normal next
year. Do not take it that you will be transported in buses and trucks,” said
the King. The young boys responded with a loud Bayethe!
In the previous years, the young boys marched from Ngabezweni to Nhlambeni and
returned to Ludzidzini Royal Residence with the shrubs.
The young boys also shouted Bayethe when the King informed them that they would
receive T-shirts upon return from fetching the shrubs. This, the King stated,
was because the T-shirts were brought late.
Meanwhile, umhlonyane was made available at emalawini for all attendees of
Incwala yesterday. The nation also came in numbers to test for COVID-19.
The testing started from morning until late.