King receives 60 lobola cattle

His Majesty King Mswati III dancing together with Fana Mhlanga, Prince Mahlaba, Chief Nkhukhwana Magongo and Prince Masitsela. The King received 60 cattle as bride price for the late Princess Shiyose who was married to Chief Lovutha Magongo who is also la

LUDZIDZINI – His Majesty the King yesterday received 60 cattle as bride price (emalobolo) for the late Princess Shiyose who was married to Chief Lovutha Magongo, who is also deceased.

His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Indlovukazi graced the colourful occasion.
Last week, His Majesty received 50 cattle from Chief Bhejisa Lushaba’s household and community as bride price for Princess Lotinkhulungwane.
By virtue of Swazi culture, His Majesty the King becomes the father of all daughters of King Sobhuza II.

Chief Lovutha of Langeni, Lobamba, died in 1967 while Princess Shiyose passed away in 2003.
The cattle were offered to the King by the Magongos in accordance with Swazi culture on Friday night.
The Magongos of Langeni also received contributions in the form of cattle from three communities; Ntsanjeni (Hhohho); Matsanjeni (Lubombo) and Langeni, which they added to those they had bought.

It is said the people of these two areas are closely related to the Magongos of Langeni where Lovutha was chief.
Princess Shiyose comes from the household of the late Prince Mahlalengangeni, who was a pastor and once held a Cabinet position. Interviewed at Ludzidzini Royal Residence, Tsembeni Magongo, a daughter of the late chief and princess, said Swazi culture dictated that children would take responsibility for the payment of the bride price in the event their father died before fulfilling his obligations.

She was grateful to the other communities for helping them get the number of cattle required. She said it was not easy but fascinating to honour royalty.
The occasion was characterised by traditional songs, plays and dances.
Mdumezulu Magongo, the last born, represented his late father as a bridegroom. He was wrapped in a blanket, as custom dictates. Dances and singing were done in an open space between Her Majesty’s residence and the cattle byre where the 60 cattle were kept.  Mdumezulu, in an interview, said he was delighted to represent his father and thanked his family and communities alike for paying his late father’s debt. “If you haven’t paid the bride price, you still owe the family that gave you the wife,” he said.

“We are, therefore, here to settle our debt, which our father had not paid when he died. I thank my family and the people who contributed towards the payment of the bride price.” TV Mtetwa, the acting Governor of Ludzidzini Royal Residence, said Swazis should learn from the Magongos who settled their father’s debt.  Mtetwa said payment of the bride price was in accordance with Swazi culture even when the bride had passed on.
The acting governor said the Magongos had sent a message to all Swazis to pay the bride price because it was significant in marriage.

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