Times Of Swaziland: JUBILANT IMBALI MARCH IN COLD RAIN ...

JUBILANT IMBALI MARCH IN COLD RAIN ...
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Sibusiso Zwane on 31/08/2024 07:23:00


MAFUTSENI - Members of the Imbali regiment, who cut the reed at Mpisi Farm, had
to be transported in buses and cars from the farm due to the weather.
These maidens are those who were led by Inkhosatana yeMbali Princess Sakhizwe to
cut the Reed at Mpisi Farm and they included Nomcebo, who is a daughter to
former South African President Jacob Zuma. Usually, when leaving Mpisi Farm,
they would engage on a pilgrimage for about eight kilometres to Mafutseni Police
Station, where they are served with water, before boarding buses to Ngabezweni
Royal Residence.
Arrived
As the Imbali was preparing to leave their camp at Mpisi Farm, where they had
arrived on Wednesday night, the buses, which usually wait for them at Mafutseni
Police Station, were seen parking next to the road. When this publication
enquired from some of those who were senior and  part of those who administer
the proceedings of the ceremony, it  was gathered that a concern was raised
regarding the harsh weather conditions; as it was raining and temperatures were
between eight and 13 degrees Celsius yesterday. They said since Imbali had
already spent two nights under such harsh temperatures,  and if they embark on a
pilgrimage from Mpisi Farm to Mafutseni Police Station, they might risk getting
flu. This, they said, might affect attendance of the Reed Dance main day, where
the maidens dance before Their Majesties and their guests, including tourists,
as the Umhlanga is regarded as one of the cultural activities which attracts
tourists into the country.
Embark
Therefore, they said it was suggested that they should not embark on the
pilgrimage; instead, the buses should pick them up at Mpisi Farm. Meanwhile,
Umfana weNkhosi Hlangabeza Mdluli, who was reluctant to comment about the
matter, hinted that there was a concern that if they engage on a pilgrimage as
usual, Imbali might fall sick, yet they are supposed to dance before Their
Majesties and their guests during the main day. Some of the maidens, who talked
briefly to this publication before  they boarded the buses, expressed their
excitement and said the new developments show that Labadzala care about them.
They said they appreciated the effort they made to put their health first.
Dancing
However, they highlighted that they would miss the fun of marching and dancing
the long  distance (from Mpisi Farm to Mafutseni Police Station). This, they
said, was because embarking on a pilgrimage was part of the fun of attending the
Reed Dance. They said the good thing was that the main day was still coming and
hopefully the temperatures would have improved by then. Today  the maidens are
expected to rest and then on Sunday,  deliver the Reed at Ludzidzini Royal
Residence and rest before being joined by Their Majesties and the nation for the
colourful event on Monday, which is the Reed Dance main day.