BY PHESHEYA IAN KUNENE
LUDZIDZINI – For 25-year-old Siphephile Dlamini of Lozitha, the Umhlanga ceremony is more than just a cultural tradition, it’s a living classroom of discipline, empowerment, and pride in womanhood.
With over a decade of participation, Siphephile has walked the Umhlanga journey from a young maiden to a woman deeply rooted in her heritage. To her, this is not only about presenting reeds before the Queen Mother, but also about socializing, forming bonds, and carrying forward values that shape resilient women.
“Umhlanga has taught me the importance of discipline and self-care,” she said. “It’s a time for us to come together, celebrate our womanhood, and forge bonds that last a lifetime.”
This year’s ceremony gave Siphephile a memory she says she’ll never forget. As the maidens danced before Their Majesties, the skies opened and rain poured down. For many, it might have signaled an end to the festivities, but not for the Imbali.
Instead, they danced harder, their songs echoing through the storm.
“We were blessed in front of Their Majesties by the rains,” Siphephile exclaimed, her joy impossible to hide. To her, the downpour was not an interruption but a symbol of blessing, resilience, and divine favour.
For Siphephile, every beat of the drum, every chant, and every step taken alongside thousands of maidens reinforces a deeper sense of identity. Her participation is not only an expression of tradition, but a declaration that Swazi women are strong, united, and proud.
Umhlanga, she believes, is a constant reminder that resilience is a woman’s crown. It teaches maidens to face life’s storms with grace, unity, and the unwavering spirit of a generation determined to preserve culture while embracing empowerment.
As Siphephile returns home from Ludzidzini, she carries more than reeds, she carries lessons of pride, strength, and resilience that will guide her long after the songs of Umhlanga fade.
(Courtesy Pic)
