BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – Emaswati are now the pioneers when it comes to cultural issues in the African continent, according to Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Thulisile Dladla.
Dladla, who returned to Eswatini from Zambia on 24th February 2025 through King Mswati III International Airport, described Emaswati as pioneers due to the way they impressed with their traditional dances during the Incwala Traditional Dance for the Ngoni people, one of the kingdoms situated in Zambia.
The DPM stated that she too was impressed with the way Emaswati displayed their skills in cultural performances. She mentioned that His Majesty King Mphezeni IV of the Ngoni people was left “tongue-tied” with what was done by Emaswati during the event. The Eswatini delegation had been sent by His Majesty King Mswati III to represent him and the nation, and the delegation was led by the DPM.
Dladla expressed gratitude to His Majesty King Mswati III for sending a delegation to be part of the Ngoni people, as this allowed Emaswati to share their culture with other nations participating in the Ngoni cultural event. She said this showed that the Nguni people (a group of African nations, such as Emaswati, AmaZulu, Ngoni, AmaXhosa etc) were one people and they had to remain united.
She also mentioned that such events gave Emaswati an opportunity to remain one of the few nations that still held on to its cultural values. She believed such events would enable Eswatini to be a country that others look up to for people who want to hold on to their cultural values.
The event was attended by Lizinyane Bandzile, Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Prince Lonkhokhela, and various regiments from Eswatini who performed traditional dances during the ceremony. Zambia’s President His Excellency Hakainde Hichilema also graced the occasion.
Dladla and her delegation reached Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka, Zambia, in the evening of 20th February 2025. Dladla was welcomed by Eswatini’s Ambassador to Zambia, Lindiwe Kunene, and Zambia’s Minister of Justice, Princess Kasune. Others invited to the event came from countries such as South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Malawi.
