African Royalties

A happy belated birthday to Her Royal Highness Inkhosikati LaHwala of the Kingdom of Eswatini

Mother and Daughter duo: TRH Princess Sibahle and Queen Putsoana Hwala

Her Royal Highness Inkhosikati LaHwala also know as Queen Putsoana Hwala was born on November 15th 1974, is His Majesty King Mswati III's fifth wife. Together they have two children Their Royal Highnesses Prince Bandzile and Princess Temashayina Sibahle.

Mother-Son Duo: Prince Bandzile and Queen Putsoana on the occasion of the Prince's foundation Peaceful Warrior launch

Mother-children duo:

His Majesty King Mswati III recently concluded his stay in the United States of America where he attended the 74th General Assembly.

During the course of the week, His Majesty attended a number of meetings including the UN SDG and environmental session.

On Wednesday September 25th, He addressed the General Assembly where he spoke about peace, conflict, climate change, poverty alleviation and the exclusion of Taiwan at the top of his concerns making recommendations on the action required of the UN body as a collective.

This year's theme was Galvanising multilateral efforts for poverty eradication, quality education, climate action and inclusion’.

During his speech, he urged all to avoid dictating how countries should be govern and impose their ideologies on other nations of the world as he noted that this is a great fuse to the current conflicts in various parts of the world and causes many inhumane sufferings. He has called upon the UN to act swiftly, discourage such behaviours and remind leaders that they are all equal, irrespective of country size and economic power.

On bridging the gaps and promoting collective action, he implore the assembly to play its role on taking centre stage on inclusion and participation of all Member States through cooperation, dialogue and reforming existing organs where needed. He noted that most current challenges such as terrorism, climate change, migration, transnational organized crimes and many others, could be effectively addressed without multilateral cooperation.

On the inclusion of Taiwan, he said was a crucial step in realizing the pledge Agenda 2030 of leaving no one behind will remain elusive and false if they continued to deprive other nations the opportunity to play a pivotal role in the UN affairs, as stipulated in the preamble of UN General Assembly resolution 70/1 adopted on September 25th 2015.

He also spoke about supporting African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and Ae-Trade platform needing the full support of the UN as it would propel the continent towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

He asked the UN to invest more in SDGs to help end poverty. He said this was necessary to build strong societies and social protection systems that would ensure the inclusion of special interest groups affected by poverty.

On setting up regional disaster funds, His Majesty recommended the setting up of permanent regional disaster funds to help cushion against the effects of natural disasters and set-up sub-regional humanitarian hubs that will be equipped to respond swiftly to disasters.

He also spoke about reassess allocation of development assistance and providing assistance to educators.

Following his address, His Majesty met with the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres in private. During their private talks, the Secretary-General commended the Kingdom for its leadership in taking steps to tackle developmental challenges they faced and also discussed Eswatini’s implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The UN will provide strong support to the kingdom through its resident coordinator and country team to integrate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in national planning processes. The local delegation has submitted that among the results of this support includes the poverty reduction levels, decline in the prevalence of stunting among children under five years, improved access to water and electricity in urban and rural areas and helping the country record, for the first time in 2017, zero cases of polio, disability and death from tetanus, whooping cough and measles.

The kingdom was also seeking support from the UN in establishing a permanent regional disaster fund. This is to help cushion against the effects of natural disasters, as well as at SADC level for a sub-regional humanitarian hub equipped with emergency response equipment, tools and skilled personnel to provide expertise, advice and capacity building to Member States. The strong relationship has seen the kingdom offer land for the construction of the UN common premises which host a state of the art infrastructure.

Later His Majesty also held bilateral talks with the President of the Republic of Ireland Michael Higgins, and His Majesty King Rukidi IV of Oyo Kingdom.

On Wednesday evening, in his capacity as the current Chairperson of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA), he attended a meeting of the End Malaria Council co-chaired by Bill Gates and Ray Chambers.

The meeting's agenda was to discuss the Council’s progress over the last year and explore the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

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.

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

Mother - children duo