African Royalties

Whilst her son Ingwenyama returned to the Kingdom after attending Global Fund conference, Her Majesty Ndlovukati Ntfombi, Queen mother of the Kingdom was departing at Matsapha International Airport for the Republic of South Africa.

Her daughters in law Their Royal Highness Emakhosikati LaMatsebula, LaNgangaza, LaMahlangu, LaNtentesa and grandchildren Emaziyane Sikhaniyso, Temaswati accompanied by others princes and princesses were at the airport to see her off.

According to reports, Her Majesty is traveling for medical check ups

After the long week of Butimba that prequels the Umhlanga Reed Dance which ended on August 26th, The official cultural dance began the next day.

The Imbali regiments came to officially register themselves before being commissioned by His Majesty King Mswati III and Her Majesty Ndlovukati Ntformbi. About 100K young Swati ladies age vary from around the kingdom were accounted for when they arrived at Ludzidzini Royal Residence(Queen Mother's official residence) happily singing “Lomabandza yiNgcwenyama, asinandzaba sitawufela eNkosini”.

The regiments were welcome by National leader of imbali regiment Nonduduzo Kunene and Imbali leader Nothando Mkhonta as well as the princesses Temaswati, Sibahle, Sakhziwe, Nkhosiyenzile and others.

They then left Ludzidzini for Ngabezweni Royal Residence(His Majesty's royal village from there they heard the commissioning message sent by His Majesty to cut their reeds at Mphisi Farm and KaBhamsakhe. His Majesty also provided necessary items to make sure that everyone will be comfortable during this week.

The Imbali led by the leaders and the Royal Princesses then marched out of Ngabezweni in traditional chants and dance(Kutsamba) enroute to cut their reeds. The regiment is protected by the Eswatini Royal Police. They dance throughout the night and sleep onside.

His Majesty met with the regiments in the evening of their first day

Here is a schedule of how the Reed Dance takes place: 

Day One

The Imbali arrive in groups from of 200 from chiefdoms and meet at the Ludzidzini, Queen Mother’s royal village. From there they are registered for security. In the evening they sleep in huts of relatives in the village or in classrooms of nearby schools.

Day Two

In the morning they are separated into two groups, the older (about 14 to 25 years) and the younger (about 8 to 13 years). In the afternoon, they will march to Mphisi Farm and KaBhamsakhe with their supervisors. The older girls often march about 30 kilometres, while the younger girls march about ten kilometres. Government provides assitance like trucks for their transport.

Day Three

The reeds are cuts, usually about ten to twenty, using long knives. Each girl ties her reeds into a bundle.

Day Four

In the afternoon, they march back to the Queen Mother’s village, carrying their bundles of reeds. Again they return at night. This is done “to show they traveled a long way.”

Day Five

It is their resting day. Throughout this day the girls make final preparations to their hair, dancing costumes and different songs and dances. The day is also fill with dances, chants and a little party

Day Six

First day of dancing they drop their reeds outside the Queen Mother’s quarters. They move to the arena and dance, keeping their groups and each group singing different songs at the same time. This takes about 2 hours and is done in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen Mother as well as the Queen Consorts

Day Seven

His Majesty the King arrives and the regiments both Warriors and Imbali present their dances. The royal princes and princesses also present their dances. Sometimes the King, Queen Consorts join in.

Day Eight

King commands that dozens of cattle (perhaps 20 -25) be slaughtered and share amongst the girls before they are transported back home

It is almost that time of the year for Umhlanga and Reed Dance's festivities to begin in the Kingdom and earlier this week His Majesty King Mswati III and Her Majesty Ndlovukati Ntfombi commissioned both the warriors and maidens regiments for a week of pre festivities activities in preparation of the Umhlanga and Reed Dance happening next week between August 27th and September 2nd.

On August 20th, His Majesty commissioned the warriors(male) regiments for this year’s Butimba (hunting expedition), with dozens of members of various regiments setting out to Hlane Royal National Park where the expedition will be held.

During the last few day there were summons for emabutfo from all four regions to converge at Tihoncweni, before the regiments heeded the summons and were commissioned in its element on August 20th, at Ngabezweni Royal Residence as early as 10am where they jubilantly joined in songs, as they waited for His Majesty’s arrival.

They came to the expedition as a whole as they carried their knobkerries, spears and firearms.

His Majesty the King through Umbutfo Qomentanyeni Magagula, ordered the regiments to begin the expedition where they will be based and sleep over at Malindza under Chief Ndlondlo Tsabedze.

The King said today the regiments will then proceed to Hlane Royal National Park where upon they will be expected to register their firearms before the start of the expedition. They were warned that they should make sure that  they register their firearms before the expedition and those who will fail to register theirs will not be allowed to use them during the hunt.

There was a lovely spectacle as His Majesty joined the libutfo in song and dance of traditional hunting songs. His Majesty was joined by the senior princes, his children the princes, male members of the royal family, and members of government.

One of the songs that were sung by the King and the regiments was Inyamazane Sayihlaba, which set the tone for the day.

The Hunt happens during the last week of August, and is a significant cultural event which precedes the Umhlanga Ceremony. 

Earlier on Friday the Kingdom of Eswatini celebrated correctional services day. This year celebration was held at Matsapha, with its theme "combating recidivism through community engagement and post custody programmes".

His Majesty who is head of correctional services attended the event with Her Majesty the Queen Mother who was accompanied by the queen consorts, their children, members of the extended royal family and members of government, gave a speech.

During his speech, he appointed a woman to the role of commissioner general. Phindile Dlamini became the first woman to take this post. While appointing Phindile, he acknowledged the importance of appointing women into positions of power.

He also urged for a crime free Eswatini

A Happy birthday to Her Royal Highness Princess Makhosothando Dlamini of the Kingdom of Eswatini.

Daddy-Daughter duo: His Majesty and Her Royal Highness on the occasion of His Majesty's 51st birthday in April

Her Royal Highness is celebrating her 14th birthday on July 5th. She was born to His Majesty King Mswati III and Her Royal Highness the late Inkhosikati LaDube. She is the first of 3 children to the late queen consort with siblings: TRH Prince Betive, Princess Mahlemalangeni Temave.

The birthday girl and her younger sister HRH Princess Temave

Mother-Daughter day out: The late Queen consort and the princess on a shopping trip

Sister bonds on The King's 50th birthday celebrations

The birthday girl and her younger siblings

Father-Daughter duo

Her Royal Highness with her grand mother Her Majesty The Queen Mother

His Excellency President Thabo Mbeki, former president of the Republic of South Africa, earlier today began a visit to the Kingdom of eSwatini were he was welcome by His Majesty King Mswati III, Her Majesty Ndlovukati Ntformbi accompanied by members of the eSwati royal family.

His Majesty and His Excellency engaged in private, friendly talks involving talks about the kingdom and he met a few members of the royal family.

His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen Mother accompanied by members of the royal family later hosted the Former president to an official dinner

On Friday May 31st, His Majesty King Mswati III launched the campaign to end Malaria on the Africa continent starting in Eswatini held at Mandvulo Grand Hall in Lozitha Palace. 

His Majesty King Mswati III(Center) and His Majesty King Letsie III of Lesotho(R). Photo credits Prince Banzile/Shaun de Souza

His Majesty was joined by Her Majesty the Ndlovukati(She-Elephant Queen Mother) Ntfombi and accompanied by his wives the Queens, children and members of the extended royal family. 

The event began by traditional dances, a speech from His Majesty the King and other invited guests including His Majesty King Letsie III of Lesotho. 

From L-R, Emakhosikati(Queens): LaFogiyane(1st L), LaNtentesa(2nd L), LaMahlangu(3rd L), LaGija(4th), LaNgangaza(5th), LaMatsebula(6th) and LaMotsa(R) at the Fund. Photo Credits: Prince Bandzile/Shaun de Souza/Instagram

The fund was set up in February 2019 by the current Chairman of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) King Mswati III. During the event, eSwatini raised about $300K, and pledge to implement plans to help reduce the Malaria epidemic hitting the country.

TRH Royal sisters: Princess Sikhaniyso, Principal Princess(in yellow), Princess Temaswati(blue). Photo Credits: Prince Banzile/Shaun de Souza

TRH Royal siblings: Prince Bandzile(L 5th wife), Princess Tiyandza & Princess Tebukhosi(4th wife) and Princess Sibahle(R-5th wife). Behind is HRH Princess Temtsimba(6th wife). Photo credits: Prince Bandzile/Shaun de Souza

Invited guests included former and present African Head of states notably Their Majesties King Letsie III and Queen Masenate of the Kingdom of Lesotho, and many others.

Dinner:
In the evening the eSwatini royal family hosted their invited guests to an official dinner