Mbabane – As the 2026 Umhlanga Reed Dance Ceremony drew to a close with its final leg at Mbangweni Royal Residence in the Shiselweni Region, Indvuna Yembali Bongiwe Vivane Hlatjwako has urged maidens to take their education seriously and build a brighter future.
Indvuna said this during an interview with Independent News on September 14, 2026, while giving an overall reflection on the ceremony held over the weekend.
She encouraged the Imbali to take their studies seriously, reminding them that education remained key to building a bright future.
Hlatjwako thanked all those who contributed towards the success of the final leg of the ceremony and wished the maidens a safe journey back to their respective homes.
She also expressed appreciation to His Majesty King Mswati III for the parting gifts presented to the maidens before they departed for their homes.
In keeping with the tradition of recent years, this year’s Umhlanga Reed Dance Ceremony was held in two legs, starting with the main ceremony at Ludzidzini Royal Residence and concluding with the final leg at Mbangweni Royal Residence.
During both legs of the annual ceremony, the young maidens registered, harvested and delivered ceremonial reeds before taking part in traditional singing and dancing before Their Majesties.
Throughout the 2026 ceremony, His Majesty and various corporate sponsors also provided the Imbali with gifts and essential items.
Among the gifts presented were brand-new sneakers, which were distributed to the maidens during the main leg to assist them during their march to harvest the reeds.
The maidens were also provided with sanitary pads and other hygiene essentials during registration to ensure their wellbeing throughout the multi-day ceremony.
As the ceremony concluded, the maidens received specially packed food parcels containing chicken, beef, bread and juice before boarding transport back to their respective homes.
Corporate companies also supported the maiden groups with promotional T-shirts, bread, snacks and refreshments.
Meanwhile, corporate companies, government entities, families and individuals contributed more than E30.3 million in tetfulo towards the 2026 Umhlanga Reed Dance Ceremony across both legs.
During the first leg at Ludzidzini Royal Residence, contributions valued at E28,176,104 were presented as tetfulo to His Majesty. These included cash donations, cattle, groceries and food supplies to support the large number of maidens who participated in the ceremony.
Major contributors included private and public institutions, among them Inyatsi Group Holdings, the Eswatini Communications Commission and the Eswatini National Provident Fund.
An additional E2.3 million in tetfulo was presented during the second and final leg at Mbangweni Royal Residence on September 12, 2026.
The contributions were aimed at supporting the logistics, meals and care of the maidens as the 2026 cultural season came to an end.
The final leg at Mbangweni brought the curtain down on this year’s Umhlanga Reed Dance, with the Indvuna Yembali leaving the maidens with a message to preserve the values of the ceremony while also putting their education first.
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