Durban – Alfred Duma Municipality mayor Zama Sibisi says 300 Zulu maidens from the town will be attending the reed dance at the Enyokeni palace in Nongoma, northern KwaZulu-Natal.
Sibisi said he had met with the women, known as ’omama Abakhulisa amantombazane’, who will prepare and lead the maidens to the event on September 17.
According to the Department of Arts and Culture, ‘Umkhosi Womhlanga’ or the reed dance festival is one of the cultural ceremonies hosted by the Zulu royalty.
It is focused on celebrating the purity of maidens and highlights the values that come with prolonging their virginity. It dates back to the times before King Shaka and was revived by King Goodwill Zwelithini.
“The year marks a breakthrough after Covid-19 threatened this country, as Alfred Duma Local Municipality, we are over the moon that now our young girls will now be part of an event that celebrates their good behaviour which they are proud of.”
Sibisi added that as the municipality they have allocated one bus for transport and this will be in addition to the transport being provided by the Department of Arts and Culture.
“I applaud the group of women for their role in ensuring that the good teachings are installed in our girls.” He further stated, “the same procedure needs to be introduced to give guidance to the boys as they grow up”.
Sibisi said that he also proposed to have another meeting with the women after the reed dance as the municipality wanted to be part of programmes that seek to improve children’s moral education.
The women also presented the mayor with a blanket.