By THEMBA ZWANE
NDZINGENI – Ndzingeni Chief, Umntfwanenkhosi Mavelebaleni, has called on leaders to lead by example by embracing and promoting Eswatini’s traditional attire, particularly at national and cultural events.
The Chief made the call on Saturday at Bulandzeni, a chiefdom falling under Ndzingeni Constituency in northern Hhohho, during a cultural competition organised and sponsored by Ndzingeni Member of Parliament (MP) Singalwi Magagula.
The competition brought together residents who showcased different Eswatini cultural dances, including Sibhaca, Ingadla and Ummiso, among other traditional dances, with participants competing for prizes.
Addressing those gathered, Chief Mavelebaleni said leaders should demonstrate through their own conduct the standards they expect their subjects and communities to uphold.
“Even if it is cold, I will also come out as a Warrior (Umbutfo), fully clad in my traditional attire (Imvunulo) to show or demonstrate that I am a Liswati,” he said.
The Chief emphasised that leadership comes with the responsibility of setting a good example.
“If you lead, you must lead by example. You cannot be a leader and then become something else and fail to be exemplary to the subjects you are entrusted to lead,” he said.
He urged leaders to establish a positive precedent that their communities could follow, particularly when it comes to preserving and promoting Eswatini’s culture.
Chief Mavelebaleni also addressed those who attended the cultural competition without wearing traditional attire, clarifying that their choice of clothing did not make them any less part of the community.
“We do not mean that those who came to the cultural competition not clad in traditional wear are no longer part of us. They are a part of us, it is just that today they came dressed differently,” he said.
He expressed confidence that those who attended without traditional attire would embrace the practice at future cultural gatherings.
“We are confident that next time, they will come dressed in traditional attire just as the rest of us all,” he added.
The Chief further directed his attention to the participation of children in cultural activities, calling on Ndzingeni MP Singalwi Magagula to support young performers with appropriate traditional attire.
He said children participating in cultural dance competitions should not be expected to perform while dressed in Western clothing.
“I also want to urge Ndzingeni MP, Singalwi Magagula, to assist children taking part in the cultural dance competition to ensure they have and are dressed in proper traditional attire,” Chief Mavelebaleni said.
He said such support would help ensure that cultural events genuinely reflect and promote Eswatini’s heritage.
“I want to urge the MP to assist the children so that what we see today is not repeated where children participate in cultural competition but clad in Western clothing,” he said.
The Chief’s remarks placed emphasis on the role of leadership, community participation and practical support for young people in keeping Eswatini’s cultural practices alive.
The Bulandzeni cultural competition provided a platform for residents to showcase traditional dances while competing for prizes, with the Chief using the gathering to reinforce the importance of cultural identity and appropriate traditional presentation.
His message was that cultural preservation should not only be spoken about, but demonstrated by those entrusted with leadership and supported through practical measures that enable younger generations to participate fully in cultural activities.
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