By Celani Sikhakhane
- eThekwini spends R1-million on 20 buses and accommodation to transport 1200 maidens to Reed Dance.
- The ceremony moved to Mashobeni Royal Palace in Phongola for the first time in 41 years of revival.
The eThekwini municipality is spending almost R1-million to transport more than 1200 maidens from Durban to this year’s Reed Dance.
The city will provide about 20 buses at R44,000 each to take the young women to Mashobeni Royal Palace. City officials will also get R33,000 for accommodation.
Universities like DUT, UKZN and MUT are paying for their own transport to take student maidens to the ceremony.
This year’s Reed Dance will happen at Mashobeni Royal Palace in Phongola for the first time in 41 years. The ceremony used to be held at eNyokeni Palace.
The provincial government says the budget will stay the same even with the venue change. No extra money is needed.
Dr Nomagugu Ngobese says people are making harsh comments about the venue change without understanding Zulu royal history. She runs the Nombukhubulwane Youth Development Institute which helps with the Reed Dance.
“Each king has a different venue and I see no point in people making noise about it. Our maidens want to go to another venue. They are still young and not worried about the change but about what the event means,” she said.
The Zulu Reed Dance started in the 1800s when King Mpande wanted to protect women from rape and keep them pure until marriage. The tradition stopped after the Battle of Ondini in 1883.
King Zwelithini and Queen Regent Mantfombi brought it back in 1984 to encourage young women to wait before having sex and reduce HIV spread.
Pictured above: The Reed Dance.
Image source: File
