Swaziland- Over 80000 maidens attended this year’s annual reed dance ceremony. The event that takes place yearly started on the 25th of August and ended on the 31st was held at the Enkabezweni Royal Residence at Lobamba.

 The maidens came as far as Namibia, Lesotho, South Africa, ect. According to the maiden’s leader Nothando Nhlengethwa, this year’s attendance showed a great improvement compared to last year’s. She also said some areas have grown in numbers wholesomely and this shows the maiden’s loyalty to their king and culture. She then warned the maidens to watch out for men with fancy cars who are after them because all they want is to ruin their youth.

They were ferried by government trucks from their home areas to the royal residence where they registered and on the 26th they set off to cut the reed in the selected places. The turnout had increased so much that there was a shortage in the reed and some of the maidens were left with no option but to leave without any reed. After gathering the reed they then submitted it before the king, royal family, diplomats and tourist at the same royal residence. On the 31st, led by the king’s first born daughter princess Skhanyiso, they danced before his majesty and his guest.

On a business note, business was booming for most business people around Lobamba and surroundings, more especially for those who have guest houses, hotels, BnBs. Most tourist book hotels as early as May for the reed dance ceremony.