ZUMA’S DAUGHTER ADORNED WITH EMAGWALAGWALA

LUDZIDZINI – Nomcebo Zuma was yesterday adorned with emagwalagwala, which are reserved for Liphovela and members of the royal family.

Nomcebo was seen adorned with the red feathers (emagwalagwala) on Sunday, when maidens delivered the reed at Ludzidzini Royal Residence and yesterday, during the main day of the Umhlanga Ceremony. The daughter of former South Africa’s President, Jacob Zuma, was spotted donning emagwalagwala feathers and dancing with members of the royal family.
Ligwalagwala is a bird species with red, blue and black feathers. According to traditionalists, emagwalagwala are only reserved for children of the current King. The traditionalists said the red feathers have a special significance in Eswatini culture and tradition.

Explained

It was explained that the red feathers are adorned in a variety of ways, depending on the status of the individual adorning them. There is an exception if the King chooses Liphovela, according to the traditionalists, as culturally, Liphovela is decorated with the special feathers to signify that she is joining the royal family. The traditionalists explained that the manner in which the princesses donned the red feathers is different from any other person. It is worth noting that in a previous interview, this publication was informed that Eswatini customs and tradition do not allow the King’s grandchildren to use the same format of donning the feathers as the King’s children.

It was said other people who are permitted to culturally don the special feathers, are Emalangeni (bantfwabenkhosi), depending on their status. When it comes to tindvuna, who are entrusted by Their Majesties, it was explained that they only donned one feather, the opposite way. Meanwhile, yesterday, the Zulu regiment came in numbers to cheer Nomcebo at the Reed Dance. Worth noting is that the regiment are in the country together with their leader, King Misuzulu KaZwelithini. The Lutsango from KwaZulu ran onto the arena in jubilation when they saw Nomcebo, who had donned red feathers (emagwalagwala), which are the preserve of royalty, approaching with emazinyane (the King’s sons and daughters).

Members of the Zulu Lutsango entered the arena cheering Nomcebo, saying ‘siyabonga (thank you)’ on top of their voices. The Zulu Lutsango and warriors made a formation and danced with the maidens outside the arena. It should be noted that Nomcebo had been in the country for sometime before she joined the maidens at the Reed Dance.Nothing has been confirmed concerning her connection with the royalty. Acting Imbali Overseer Umfana weNkhosi Hlangabeza Mdluli maintained that he could only confirm that Liphovela was among the Imbali and that the provision of further information could be done by the Ludzidzini indvuna.

Warned

Acting Ludzidzini Indvuna Themba Ginindza, in a previous interview, warned against speculating. Ginindza said emaSwati were aware that the King did everything in the open for everyone to see. When Nomcebo joined the regiment at Ludzidzini Royal Residence last week, the media was warned to look the opposite direction to give way to the Liphovela.
Members of the media were also warned to move away from royalty yesterday. “Khweshani media lapha kunenkhosikati. Hambelani khashane,” the security personnel told the members of the media. This was when the King appreciated Imbali where Nomcebo and other maidens were dancing. It is worth noting that, throughout the ceremony, Nomcebo oozed confidence and was in jolly mood. When His Majesty King Mswati III appreciated Imbali, she screamed in joy and smiled throughout.

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