BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – Cultural Pride on Display
The Inkhundla Council of Mbabane West, led by the Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Jane Mkhonta-Simelane, has bid farewell to 120 young maidens (Imbali) who will take part in the 2025 Umhlanga Reed Dance Ceremony.
Mkhonta-Simelane, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Mbabane West, was elected to Parliament in September 2023 before being appointed to cabinet by His Majesty King Mswati III two months later.
Ceremonial Send-Off at Mangwaneni
The maidens were officially sent off on 2 September 2025 at Mangwaneni Royal Residence by Mbabane West Indvuna Yenkhundla (Constituency Chairman) Phinda Khuzulwandle Maziya, accompanied by local Bucopho Benkhundla (constituency councillors) from Mangwaneni, Manzana, and Nkwalini — the three chiefdoms that make up Mbabane West Inkhundla.
Maziya explained that the council felt it important to honour the maidens with a befitting send-off. The young women were provided with food items and toiletries to support them during the week-long cultural event.
Support from Home and Nation
Speaking to this publication, Maziya said the gesture was meant to assure the girls that they were backed both by their leaders and their community.
“We know Their Majesties will provide support during Umhlanga, but we also felt it was necessary for the maidens to know they have encouragement from home,” he said.
The councillors present included Vusi Kunene (Mangwaneni), Sibusiso ‘Sparks’ Ndlangamandla (Manzana), and Sabelo Phiri (Nkwalini), who joined in wishing the maidens a safe journey and a meaningful cultural experience.
Celebrating Culture and Unity
Maziya further wished the young maidens the best, expressing hope that they would return having had a fulfilling experience of Umhlanga.
The Umhlanga Reed Dance, one of Eswatini’s most revered cultural ceremonies, brings together thousands of maidens from across the kingdom to celebrate chastity, unity, and national pride under the guidance of Their Majesties.
