BY SIBUSISEKILE NDLANGAMANDLA
LUDZIDZINI– A total of 80 buses have been secured to transport Imbali from different parts of the country to Ludzidzini Royal Residence as preparations for this year’s Umhlanga Reed Dance reach completion.
Imbali Overseer Hlangabeza Mdluli said preparations for the annual cultural ceremony had been ongoing since May, with organisers now confident that all logistical arrangements were in place.
Mdluli said each of the four regions had been allocated 20 buses to transport maidens from different chiefdoms to Ludzidzini. He said additional arrangements had also been made for Imbali from remote areas to ensure that they could access the main transport points.
“For some places, we will even have trucks and vans picking up the Imbali and dropping them at convenient pick-up points, where buses will then transport them to Ludzidzini,” said Mdluli. He said the transport arrangements were aimed at ensuring the safe and convenient movement of thousands of maidens throughout the Umhlanga programme.
Mdluli also expressed satisfaction with the level of commitment shown by the Imbali in preparing for the annual ceremony. He said he had personally witnessed maidens from Khuphuka and Dvokolwako preparing for the Reed Dance, describing their efforts as encouraging. “What makes me happy is the preparation that the Imbali are putting into the Reed Dance,” he said.
The official Umhlanga programme will begin on August 25, when Imbali from across the country arrive at Ludzidzini Royal Residence for registration. On August 26, the maidens will be commissioned at Ngabezweni Royal Residence before travelling to their designated reed-cutting sites on August 27.
They will return to Ludzidzini on August 28 carrying the reeds they have harvested. August 29 will be observed as a rest day, followed by the presentation of reeds to Their Majesties at Ludzidzini on August 30. The celebrations will culminate on August 31, which has been declared a national public holiday and will be the main Reed Dance day.
Thousands of Imbali are expected to gather at Ludzidzini to perform the traditional dance. Mdluli said organisers were ready to receive the maidens as the country prepares for one of Eswatini’s major cultural celebrations.
#EswatiniPositiveNews #Umhlanga2026 #Imbali #Culture #Eswatini
(Courtesy Pic)
