KwaNongoma – Thousands of maidens are gathering at the Zulu royal palace in KwaNongoma this weekend for the 40th anniversary of South Africa’s Reed Dance, according to SABC reports. The event, which mirrors Eswatini’s own Umhlanga ceremony, has become an international cultural showcase but continues to face criticism over virginity testing.
Human rights organisations argue that the practice of testing girls before the ceremony infringes on their dignity. The custom is carried out in local communities by maiden minders before participants travel to the royal palace.
Cultural expert Hlengiwe Ngcongo defended the practice, saying maidens are not forced to participate. “This is a family and maiden’s decision. Those against it do not understand why it is done. It is historical. The testing is not conducted at the palace but within districts by respected maidens’ minders. After that, girls continue with school and later take part in the Reed Dance,” she said.
SABC reported that buses and taxis have been delivering maidens from KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and other parts of South Africa since early morning. Many were preparing themselves before setting out to fetch reeds, which will later be presented to King Misuzulu kaZwelithini.
The Reed Dance was revived in the 1980s by the late King Goodwill Zwelithini after a proposal from Queen Mombi. Organisers expect between 5,000 and 20,000 maidens to take part this year, with one of the Zulu princesses leading the presentation of reeds to the monarch.
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