JUBILANT IMBALI MARCH IN COLD RAIN ...

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. 

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