Miss Heritage SA finalist attends Umhlanga

MBABANE – The Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture (ENCAC) regiment has brought in maidens from Mpumalanga.

This includes a delegation of young Imbali maidens from South Africa. Miss Cultural Heritage South Africa finalist Ingiphile Nkosi, has joined Eswatini’s annual Umhlanga Dance Ceremony. The cross-border participation follows a cultural exchange agreement between the ENCAC and South Africa’s Mpumalanga province.

ENCAC Chief Executive Officer Stanley Dlamini confirmed that the council had signed a memorandum of understanding with Mpumalanga authorities to facilitate cultural exchanges.

“You will remember that the council signed a memorandum of understanding with Mpumalanga that we agreed on for cultural exchange,” he said.

Former beauty queens have also joined hands to form a distinctive Imbali regiment participating in the 2026 Umhlanga. Supported by ENCAC, the group brings together titleholders from various pageants, including former Miss Eswatini winners, Miss Cultural Heritage winners, regional titleholders, Miss Teen Eswatini, Miss Hhohho and Miss Siphofaneni.

Clad in traditional regalia, the maidens continue to participate in cultural activities. Their presence adds a fresh element to Eswatini’s sacred traditional event. Dlamini expressed satisfaction with the participation of former pageant winners, noting that corporate sponsorships from Wear Well and Premier Eswatini ensured the maidens were fully equipped for the journey.

“We are thrilled to see this year’s libutfo looking so vibrant and ready for the journey ahead. Our partnership with sponsors Wear Well and Premier Eswatini has been invaluable in making this possible,” Dlamini said.

The chief executive officer revealed that ENCAC had received interest from municipal councils and cultural organisations in South Africa and Botswana wishing to take part in the event. He noted that several foreign delegations were finalising their confirmations.

“The participation of former beauty queens gives Imbali a unique character, combining pageantry with cultural expression as the maidens proudly take part in one of the country’s most significant traditional events,” he said.

The Umhlanga Ceremony remains a central pillar of Eswatini’s cultural identity, drawing thousands of maidens across the region to celebrate heritage, unity and traditional pride each year.