BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MBANGWENI – Thousands of Imbali attending the Umhlanga Second Leg at Mbangweni Royal Residence are benefiting from improved sanitation facilities following the completion of a new E1.3 million ablution facility constructed to support their needs during the national cultural ceremony.
The facility, constructed by the National Emergency Response Council on HIV/AIDS (NERCHA), was presented to His Majesty King Mswati III during the Umhlanga Second Leg in the Shiselweni region. It comprises 10 toilets and 10 showers, providing Imbali with improved access to essential sanitation services while gathered at the royal residence.
The development forms part of NERCHA’s continued support for national cultural activities and complements a hall previously constructed by the organisation at Mbangweni Royal Residence. Together, the facilities are intended to provide a safer, more dignified and comfortable environment for the thousands of Imbali participating in the annual ceremony.
Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini toured the newly constructed facility during the Umhlanga Second Leg, where it was being utilised by Imbali attending the ceremony.
The investment highlights the importance of supporting cultural events with infrastructure that responds to the practical needs of participants, particularly young women who spend several days at royal residences during the Reed Dance.
Beyond providing toilets and showers, NERCHA also donated sanitary pads to support the health, hygiene and well-being of the Imbali.
The sanitary products are expected to assist maidens in managing their menstrual health with greater comfort and dignity while participating in the cultural programme.
NERCHA management said, “The initiatives reflect the organisation’s continued commitment to supporting national cultural activities while promoting the health, dignity and empowerment of emaSwati.”
The initiatives demonstrate how investment in cultural activities can extend beyond the celebration of Eswatini’s heritage to address health, hygiene and welfare needs among participants.
The E1.3 million project also adds to infrastructure already established at Mbangweni Royal Residence, strengthening the facilities available during the Shiselweni leg of Umhlanga.
The Umhlanga ceremony brings together thousands of Imbali from across the country, making adequate sanitation and welfare facilities an important part of creating an environment conducive to their participation.
NERCHA’s intervention therefore links cultural preservation with practical community support, ensuring that Imbali can take part in one of Eswatini’s most significant cultural events while having access to basic facilities that promote health and dignity.
The completion of the ablution block further reflects the role of partnerships between government institutions and national cultural programmes in improving the experience of participants at major traditional events.
As the Umhlanga Second Leg continues, the new facility at Mbangweni stands as an investment not only in infrastructure, but also in the dignity, health and well-being of the young women who form the heart of the annual Reed Dance.
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