‘DISRESPECTING’ BEMANTI COSTS 2 FAMILIES COW, GOAT

MANZINI – Engaging Bemanti (Water Party) regiment in an improper manner has resulted in two families being fined a cow and a goat.

The two families from Malindza are not happy after their members were allegedly assaulted by soldiers and further fined a goat and a cow by the area’s royal kraal. This was after they were accused of disrespecting members of the regiment, who were camping in the area. Information gathered was to the effect that the soldiers allegedly assaulted *Mduduzi and his friend, shortly after they had a scuffle with members of the regiment near the Mpaka Shopping Complex.

In an interview yesterday, Mduduzi shared that the soldiers found him inside a motor vehicle they were driving in while at the complex. At the time, he said the driver had gone to withdraw money from an ATM, leaving him and his other friend in the car. “The soldier asked me about the driver’s whereabouts and I responded that I have no idea. They accused me of hiding him and further assaulted me. They also assaulted the driver upon his return to the car. The soldiers then took us to Malindza Royal Kraal where they accused us of defying the Water Party Regiment,” he alleged. He said his family was summoned to the royal kraal and fined a goat, while the driver’s family was fined a cow. Prior to the alleged assault, Mduduzi claimed that they had a scuffle with members of the Water Party Regiment, after they had accused the driver of wearing a hat. According to Mduduzi, the members of the regiment confronted the driver in the midst of all men who were wearing hats.

Hat

“The driver asked them if he was the only man wearing a hat when confronted by members of the regiment. He responded by saying that accusing people of wearing hats was old-fashioned. I think the members of the regiment communicated with the soldiers who later came for us,” he said. He mentioned that they were enjoying alcoholic beverages when the incident happened. However, while Mduduzi claims that they were driving in a motor vehicle when it all started, his father *Musa told this publication that the members of the regiment arrived at his homestead and found two family members. He disclosed that one man was found wearing a hat, while the other was in his home casual wear. “The Water Party demanded a fine for finding one of the men wearing a hat, but he did not comply and a scuffle ensued,” he narrated.

Musa alleged that the members of the Water Party then took the pair to umphakatsi, where they allegedly assaulted them. According to Musa, the elders of the family were later called and informed about the incident. He added that they were also fined a goat while the other family was fined a cow. “My gripe is why the umphakatsi demands a goat when it has already punished my son? I think the punishment of the child amounted to a corrective measure. I am hurting, because I have to take the only goat I have. The unfortunate thing is that we were not given a chance to say a word,” he said. He said the payment of the fine was due on Friday.

Meanwhile, the Malindza Umphakatsi stated that if subjects were found to be in violation of the traditional standards, they ought to be punished accordingly. When drawn for comment, Indvuna Cijwa Sipho Dlamini said: “Yemntfwanami, atikhulunywa tindzaba tebemanti lamoyeni, angeke ngiyikhulume nami. Malindza ushaye bantfwabakhe emvakwekutsi bente intfo lebekungafanelanga bayente.” In loose translation, the indvuna said issues pertaining to the Water Party Regiment could not be discussed by Malindza Royal Kraal as they had their own structure at Lwandle.  He further highlighted that Malindza subjects were punished after having been found to have not adhered to the traditional norms. He then politely declined to comment any further and referred this reporter to the Water Party Regiment at Lwandle. It should be mentioned that Malindza Royal Kraal is one of the bases where some members of the Water Party Regiment camp until their colleagues return from the sea.

Traditions

About three weeks ago, this publication reported that Sidzakeni residents were warned to abide by cultural norms and traditions, as the Bemanti season had begun. The warning was issued by the Lwandle indlunkhulu representative, who introduced himself as BakaNdwandwe, during the funeral of Tengetile Nompilo Dlamini. BakaNdwandwe spoke on behalf of indlunkhulu, reminding the community of the traditional dress code and behaviour expected during this time. This was after the indlunkhulu expressed its condolences on the passing on of Nompilo, as it stated that they had also lost one of their own. “Itsi indlunkhulu yaseSidzakeni, sive saseSidzakeni siyatiswa kutsi kutawuphuma libutfo lebemanti eLwandle, asigcoke kahle, bomake bagcoke tidziya,” the indlunkhulu said.

Loosely translated, the message was alerting Sidzakeni folk about the imminent dispersal of Bemanti from Lwandle and, therefore, a specific instruction was issued, warning against the wearing of pants and nail polish among women, and the wearing of short pants and hats by men. Women in pants were warned to place emahiya over their pants to respect the custom. The traditional leaders further warned against the making of noise by playing loud music and hosting parties. They also advised against the continuous violence in society. Those who would be found on the wrong side of the law were said to have penalties imposed against them. It is worth noting that during this time of the year, His Majesty King Mswati III commissions Bemanti (Water Party), marking the first leg of the Incwala Ceremony, which is the celebration of the first harvest of the first fruit in Eswatini. During the event, the nation gathers at the Ludzidzini Cattle byre and thank God for the peace and stability that had prevailed since Eswatini gained her independence from Britain.

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