Malindza Lutsango steal the show
MBABANE – Lutsango LwaKaNgwane from Malindza Royal Kraal stole the show when they joined throngs of women during the annual Buganu Ceremony at Emachobeni, in Ngwavuma, KwaZulu-Natal over the weekend.
The event dubbed Ukugujwa Komkhosi Wamaganu was graced by His Majesty King Misuzulu KaZwelithini and members of the Zulu Royal Family. It follows the Marula Festival, which was held at Buhleni Royal Residence in its first leg two weeks ago. The second event in Eswatini will be held at Hlane Royal Residence this coming weekend.
King Misuzulu paid tribute to the strong ties with emaSwati and thanked them for being part of the event. He also spoke strongly about preserving cultural heritage. The women donned a red, black and white kanga and carried marula in 20-litre containers, which they delivered to the royal residence. They then joined other Zulu regiments in song and dance.
Malindza Royal Kraal Indvuna, Sipho Dlamini, confirmed that the women had joined the ceremony in Machobeni.
“But, we are still waiting for them to report to the chief about their trip,” he said.
The Machobeni Palace, which was built near the border of Eswatini by the late King Goodwill Zwelithini, has a rich history. Director of the Impande Research Institute, Professor Langalibalele Mathenjwa, explained that the palace was built after the prime minister of the Zulu nation, Mangosuthu Buthelezi, revisited the history of King Dingane, whose grave is near the palace. The late King Goodwill Zwelithini started to build the Emachobeni Palace so that the people of Ingwavuma would not feel that they were left out when it comes to matters of the Zulu nation, such as celebrating cultural rituals, like Umkhosi WamaGanu.
Meanwhile, local historian and cultural expert, Khaya Ndwandwe, said the Emachobeni Palace was different from other palaces in that it had no queen occupying it, and it was used largely by traditional leaders from surrounding areas to perform traditional ceremonies.