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MBABANE – Traditionalists have slammed South African lawyer Sicelo Mngomezulu for inviting maidens to a feast on the Umhlanga main day.
A number of traditionalists said what Mngomezulu, who is part of Hosea and Ngwempisi Members of Parliament (MPs) Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube’s legal team, had done was taboo.
Some even said calling maidens to a feast on a date scheduled for the Reed Dance Ceremony ‘is a clear sign that the person behind the call is rising against Their Majesties’.
This was the general feeling of some traditionalists, following the announcement by Mngomezulu when addressing the people of Hosea over the weekend.
The lawyer pledged a cow and further called for a feast on the main day of Umhlanga Ceremony at Hosea Sports Ground.
Two Minutes Shongwe said as much as people were not forced to participate in cultural events, it was taboo for one to announce another event which clashed with a national ceremony.
“In siSwati we know that when Their Majesties make an announcement, we shout Bayethe! The voice from Their
Majesties is considered a trumpet, so no one is expected to go against it and make a counter announcement. I personally feel for Mngomezulu because I do not know how he arrived at announcing the feast on the day scheduled for the Umhlanga Main Day,” Shongwe said.
The traditionalist reminded Mngomezulu and whosoever shared his sentiments that God was quick to act on those who provoked people who He placed in power. Shongwe stated that kings were not voted for, but were born and put into power by God.
To the people of Hosea, Shongwe said even though he could not decide for them, it was wise to always remember that desperate times called for desperate measures (indlala idlisana emanyala).
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He reminded the people of the area that nobody chose to be born a liSwati. He said by virtue of being a liSwati, people should not allow those who carried themselves as messiahs to mislead and bring them miseries and shame just for a one-day feast.
“Lichilo nje leli, akuzange sekwentiwe eveni kutsi Imbube yemhlaba imemete sive kutsi singenele umkhosini lotsite, bese kuchamuka lomunye umunttfu umemeta kwakhe naye,” said Shongwe, meaning it was taboo, it had never happened that when the King summoned people to a national event, another announced a parallel event.
Mngomezulu made the pledge when addressing the people of Hosea. This was after the residents; especially young girls, had indicated that they would not attend the national event. It should be noted that the young girls were responding to Mngomezulu who had asked if they would attend the event.
The lawyer told the residents that he was looking for a holiday where he would do something special for the people of the area. The people unanimously responded that they would not attend the cultural event in solidarity with their jailed MP.
Meanwhile, Mngomezulu said he had not committed any crime.
When informed about the general feeling of the traditionalists, he said according in his opinion, what he did was not taboo in anyway.
He said it was not all emaSwati who attended national events as far as he was aware. He said those who did not attend the cultural events did whatever they wanted and that was not a crime. He said similarly, he committed no crime.
He said what remained taboo was the unfulfilled promise of a dialogue after the annual Incwala Ceremony.