HEAVY rain couldn’t stop maidens from taking part in the mini-reed dance.
The event was held on Saturday at Bhekameva High School’s sports grounds in Umzumbe, on KZN’s south coast.
Back in 2013, seven maidens and two guardians from Umzumbe were killed when their bus crashed on the R66 near Nkwalini. They were returning from the reed dance at Enyokeni, Nongoma.
Umzumbe’s mini-reed dance is held every year before the main reed dance, known as Umkhosi woMhlanga, which happens every September at King Goodwill Zwelithini’s royal palace.
On behalf of the royal palace, Prince Mbonisi Zulu announced that this year’s event will be held in the second weekend of September.
“We applaud you for what you are doing. Umzumbe shows it is close to the heart of the royal house,” he said.
Maiden Lindi Khawula (21) from Mabheleni Village told Daily Sun: “I started attending the mini-reed dance when I was 13 and began Umkhosi woMhlanga when I was in grade 11. I will only stop taking part once I am married. Not even being engaged will lead me to break my virginity. If I don’t get married then I will die a virgin.”
Guardian Ntombizethu Shezi from KwaDumisa said she has been guarding maidens since 2009.
“We teach young girls from the age of nine. They are taught how to take care of themselves and never to engage in sex before marriage. They also know that without education they are nothing and must respect their elders.”
Nomagugu Ngobese urged maidens to put education first and said matric alone is not enough. “It is my wish to see a similar event for boys in high schools by next year.”
