African Royalties

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Dynamic presenter at the United Nations Bangkok tech summit, H.E Huda Al Hashimi Assistant Director-General for Strategy and Innovation, Prime Minister's Office, UAE gave a jaw-dropping presentation of the UAE's 2070 vision for digital transformation.

A post shared by Inkhosatana (@hrhprincesssikhanyiso) on Oct 24, 2019 at 6:29pm PDT

This year's Reed Dance has been fill of surprises and many joyful moments which ended last Friday September 13th at Mbangweni Royal Residence.

The dance which began on August 27th with over 100k registered maidens at Ludzidzini Royal Residence brought over more than 10k watchers to the kingdom from all four corners of the world including from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and other African continents.

All the Emakhosikati(Queen consorts), Emazinyane(the King's children and grandchildren), members of the Royal family, His Majesty the King’s guests from different countries, country representatives and other dignitaries who included African development Bank president Akinwumi Adesina were also present to witness a beautiful afternoon of cultural activity.

Imbali, who were led by Imbali national leader Nonduduzo Zubuko and Imbali regiment leader HRH Princess Temaswati turned up in their numbers for the event, were a marvel to watch as they danced before Their Majesties. Both leaders also performed beautiful dances to thrill the spectators.

The Imbali were heard chanting; “Siyimbali yema Swati sichakazile, sitayincoba iAIDS,” which can be translated to “we are the pride of Eswatini nation, we are blossoming and we will conquer AIDS”, among many of the songs they performed on the day.

Maidens from across government agencies including the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS), His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS), and Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) were also proudly represented and were a force to be reckoned with as they danced uniformly displaying their skills to different songs.

They entered the arena bahlehla bakha umkhumbi before Indvuna Zubuko started a song ‘munikeni lihawu lakhe atodlalisela’.  .

As per custom, His Majesty the King joined in the activity, moved with lacwebetelako doing the giya dance as adlalisela before the different maidens. His Majesty moved around the throngs of maidens who danced, singing ‘livi lekutjelwa boBabe’, ‘Mswati utsi ayihlome nalonyaka’, ‘ngivile ngebemanga kutsi Inkhosi iseLudzidzini’ and many more much to the excitement of the maidens.

Emakhosikati LaMatsebula, LaMotsa, LaNgangaza, LaMahlangu, LaMahlangu, LaMagongo, LaNte-ntesa, LaNkambule, LaFogiyane and LaMashwama later joined in the arena dancing alongside the maidens.

This year's Inkhosatana yeLudzidzini(Chief Maiden) HRH Princess Sibahle danced to ‘akunasangoma kulelive’. Thereafter her elder sister Libutfo lembali leader HRH Princess Temaswati danced to ‘sukumani tive tonkhe’, ‘ulikhambi lemhlaba wonkhe kuMalaleveva’, ‘sive nenhlaba nemazulu ayamvuma okandaba’, ‘asaliwa ngetikhali’ and ‘kudzinwa kubeketela’.

Maidens from neighbouring South Africa were in attendance and also joined in on the fun dancing and singing 'mkabayi kaJama', ‘elethu lelizwe’, ‘buphi buntombi bakho busele emobeni’ dressed in their native traditional regalia. The maidens arrived from Gauteng, Kwa-Zulu Natal and Mpumalanga provinces where some of Emaswati chiefs have royal kraals. Some came from Johannesburg, Standerton, Ermelo, Volkrust, Glenmore, Pongola, Dumbe, Enkhaba lendzala and Mjindini.

We also had a lovely dance from 2 year old Tiyabusa, daughter to HRH Princess Temtsimba and granddaughter to His Majesty who dance by herself as well as with her mother.

For the second and final leg of the Reed Dance ceremony at Mbangweni Royal Residence we had Imbali from the Shiselweni Region came in their thousands .

The ceremony which started with their arrival was a spectacular event, the throngs came in different ages could allowed the cold deterred them from honouring Their Majesties with their presence at the ceremony which is a pride to the maidens.

The day was started with delivering the reed before the King and Her Majesty the Queen Mother who took time to witness the thousands delivering and later dancing past to where Their Majesties seated.

The large numbers of the Imbali did not only come from Shiselweni but from the other three regions and beyond the borders were excited to have a moment passing next to the King as he watched in appreciation.

They later proceeded to the arena, where they danced up a storm before the throngs of people who were also in attendance to witness the ceremony which is also a tourists attraction.

The highlight was when the Imbali started the song ‘Mnikeni Lihawu Lakhe atodlalisela Imbali’, and was joined by His Majesty as he took to the arena to make rounds and appreciate the elated maidens who danced in jubilation as they were in the presence of their King.

Emakhosikati also took time from different occasions to go to the arena to appreciate Emazinyane who were showing off their skills and maturity in the dancing of traditional songs. Leading the Imbali was Princess Temaswati and Princess Sakhizwe who both at different intervals entertained the gathering dancing to their different songs. Also Princesses Temave and Sabusiswa were among those that stepped out to showcase their maturing talent.

One lovely royal we didn't see leading the Imbali this year was Her Royal Highness Princess Sikhanyiso. Her Royal Highness delegated her younger sister Her Royal Highness Princess Sibahle to lead the Imbali.

A happy birthday to Her Royal Highness Princess Sikhanyiso Dlamini, The Principal Princess Inkhosatana (Chief Maiden: head of the Imbali regiment) of the Kingdom of Eswatini.

Her Royal Highness who is born on September 1st is the first child and daughter of His Majesty King Mswati III with Her Royal Highness Inkhosikati LaMbikiza. Although she has many siblings through her father, Her Royal Highness shares a sibling His Royal Highness Prince Lindani, senior prince.

Father-Daughter duo

The Inkhosatana who is nicknamed pashu by family and friends began her education in St. Edmund’s College, Ware in Hertfordshire where she did both primary and secondary school there. She then studied drama at Biola University in California where she graduated from before studying at Sydney University she graduated with master's degree in digital communication.

At the age of 10, she inherited the title of Inkhosatana and Chief Maiden from her aunt. Over the years, she embodied her role, title and duties diligently taking part in all steps as well make sure that all swati ladies were well taking care off. She announced her retire from her Chief maiden duties in 2015 but still takes part in the preparations leading to the reed dance and the after works.

With the support and advices of her grandmother and parents, she became the founding patron of the Imbali Foundation which was launched in 2014 which focuses on the health, education, and spirituality of Imbali YemaSwati.

She is also involve in the arts, sports and tourism sectors of the kingdom. Her Royal Highness is the patron of Miss Swaziland Tourism. She supports other patronages, charities and NGO.

Just like her mother Queen Sibonelo, Inkhosatana is a musician and recorded a few songs. During her stay in Malaysia where she interned at Limkowing University she recorded her son "Hail Your Majesty". You may sometimes catch her on her instagram live singing or rapping.

Mother-daughter duo

As the eldest of many children, she is always supporting her younger siblings in all their endeavours. She guides the youngest ones through their lives and always as an opening ear for them.

Her Majesty The Queen Mother in the middle with her grandchildren

She is close to her family

The birthday girl with her younger brother HRH Prince Lindani

Her Royal Highness showing support for her younger brother HRH Prince Bandzile during the launch of his foundation

HRH with her mother HRH Inkhosikati LaMotsa(far left) in Malaysia

Mother-Children duo: (L-R) TRH Princesses Tiyandza, Temaswati, Inkhosikati LaHwala(Queen Putsona Hwala, Prince Bandzile's mother), Prince Bandzile, Princess Sikhanyiso and Prince Majahonke at Prince Bandzile's foundation launch

Royal siblings during an official visit to Argentina

L-R: TRH Princesses Sibahle, Temtsiba, Sikhaniyso, Tiyandza, Sakhizwe. Front (L-R): Princesses Ntsandvweni, Mazwezulu, Princess Lamahle(Prince Majahonke's daughter) and Prince Mehluli At the King's birthday

Her Royal Highness supports His Majesty through her royal works and represents him at official events nationally and internationally. She accompanies the king during his international official visits whether it's to the United Nations.

In 2010, she was appointed to the Liqoqo by His Majesty for a five year mandate. In December 2018, she entered the political arena, when she was voted and sworn in as senator. She was also appointed to the government as Minister of Information Communication and Technology.

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The Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of ICT Eswatini exchange notes.

A post shared by Inkhosatana (@hrhprincesssikhanyiso) on Jul 27, 2019 at 12:11am PDT

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A true Smart Hospital system, coveted by the world at large: a digital hospital, an incomparably efficient hospital with an endless array of services and expertise, including in both Western and Chinese medicine... Pajamas upon arrival, a digital bracelet for patient identification and history, a smooth transition across examination rooms, lunch, and your full body exam results shared before departure. ((Thanks to you, Dlakadla, we shall see to it that no LiSwati ever dies an avoidable death again.)) #TaipeiMedicalUniversityHospital #Chinesemedicine #healthcare #smarthospital #smartnation

A post shared by Inkhosatana (@hrhprincesssikhanyiso) on Jul 27, 2019 at 1:18am PDT

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The Ministry of ICT's Research, Science, Technology, and Innovation (RSTI) department visit Advantech to solicit IoT applications and services in digitizing our existing systems and infrastructure Eswatini for fiscal consolidation and creating a culture of excellence in the public sector from political figures to drivers and cleaners: all must be accountable and services delivered to EmaSwati via digital apps. #PublicKeyInfrastructure #SmartTraffic #smartmetering

A post shared by Inkhosatana (@hrhprincesssikhanyiso) on Jul 27, 2019 at 1:44am PDT