Foreign journalists battle for king's pics

Hundreds of regiments and Swazis joined the king during the burning of the sacred log.

The burning of the sacred log (kushisa lukhuni) at the Ludzidzini Royal Residence marked the end of the national Incwala ceremony.

After the regiments had danced for hours His Majesty King Mswati III joined them inside the cattle byre at about 15.45pm.

Whistles and praise singing signalled his entry such that even foreign journalists could easily predict that he had arrived.

"Is that the king? Where is he? Can we get a closer picture of him?" were some of the many questions posed by the anxious foreign journalist.

This was after journalists were given strict rules on how to go about doing their work by security officials.

Though some of the young warriors were visibly tired from the long dancing and singing, they immediately lightened up when the warriors that had gone to meet the king during his entry returned with him in their midst.

"Ulilanga!" (meaning ‘you are the sun’) were the shouts of jubilation that echoed the cattle byre from some of the young warriors who had shown signs of exhaustion such that their seniors had to constantly remind them that ‘Incwala ayibukelwa’ , meaning that they could not just stand and watch instead of singing and dancing along.

Amongst those who attended the ceremony included the king’s sons and daughters, members of the royal family, the armed forces and priests from the Zion church.

The end of the Incwala ceremony marks the beginning of the weeding Royal fields which starts today.

In an interview with this publication on Tuesday Ludzidzini Governor, Jim Gama, said throngs of regiments would kick-start (kubungula) the weeding at Esihlabeni royal fields situated about three kilometres from the traditional headquarters.

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