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.