KING TROUBLED BY IMBALI PREGNANCIES

MBABANE – “Their Majesties are worried about the escalating rate of Imbali who have fallen pregnant during the partial lockdown that was effected due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

This is according to Indvuna yeMbali Nonduduzo Zubuko,who relayed this message to maidens yesterday during the presentation of meat packs known as tinkunzi to the young girls as a gift from His Majesty King Mswati III. 

Tinkunzi are meat packs which maidens normally receive when heading home after the annual Reed Dance Ceremony.

Sneakers

It is worth noting that Imbali, when attending the reed dance in previous years, would also get sanitary pads, a pair of sneakers, jackets, T-shirts and bags among other things. 

Zubuko said it was for that reason  Their Majesties sent her to tell them to preserve their virginity.

She stated that Their Majesties learnt about the news of the escalating number of pregnancies through local media, which had been reporting about it. 

Zubuko further said Their Majesties spoke strongly about the importance of keeping the culture alive even if the actual gathering was not observed. 

Speaking briefly on the pandemic, Zubuko said: “Their Majesties want to see you in numbers during the next reed dance and for that to happen, you need to ensure that you adhere to the COVID-19 regulations and recommendations by health experts, locally and internationally.” 

Zubuko said there were close to 1 500 maidens whom they presented with the meat yesterday alone. 

Gifts

She went on to note that she was happy with the turnout of the maidens as it was clear that even those who did not attend the ceremony came through for the gifts. 

She told Imbali that she believed their turnout for the King’s gifts presentation was a promise that they would be attending the next ceremony, when huge gatherings were allowed again.

Worth noting is that pupils in the Hhohho Region missed school yesterday following a communication by the Hhohho Regional Education Office (REO), that maidens have been summoned to their chiefdoms to receive  tinkunzi.

The schools were closed following a royal command for all maidens in the Hhohho region to report to their constituencies.

 It was noted that even though a list of Imbali was requested prior to the distribution, there were chiefdoms that did not submit the list, hence the young maidens were registered before being given their packs which was something that the Indvuna yeMbali also confirmed. 

Some of the interviewed maidens expressed their appreciation to Their Majesties for the meat packs. Tebenguni Nxumalo said they were excited to learn that Their Majesties had their best interest at heart.

“We can assure our King that for the love of our culture, we will continue preserving our virginity as we still want to attend more reed dance ceremonies,” she said. 

She was echoed by Samkelisiwe Kunene, who stated that they would also like to encourage their peers to take care of themselves, not for anyone but for themselves.

“Sesiyoshintja litfumbu Bayethe safa ngemabhontjisi,” added Kunene. 

This can be translated to mean; “We will enjoy a different meal as we were eating beans every day.”

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