Maidens sleep rough

ON HER arrival at Enyokeni Palace for the Reed Dance at the weekend, Phindile Shozi had hoped to find better conditions for sleeping and bathing since the government had promised R300 million two years ago to revamp the palace for the maidens.

However, to her disappointment she spent another two sleepless nights in a bus while battling to protect herself from rainwater, which leaked on to her blanket through a window.

The 22-year-old was among a group of women who had travelled from uMlazi. Together with more than 30 000 other maidens, they braved the weather to present reeds to King Goodwill Zwelithini.

“We had hoped for better accommodation, but on arrival there was none. We had no space to sleep in as the tents were already packed.

“All 60 of us had to sleep in our bus. We slept while seated. It was raining, and water was coming in through a window.”

Other young women had to sleep in minibus taxis. A number of white marquees were erected to accommodate the women, but they were insufficient.

Nonkanyiso Conco has been attending the event for 21 years. She booked accommodation in Vryheid.

However, she was concerned about the women who could not afford to pay for a comfortable bed.

“Previously I used to bath in a nearby river, but when I drove past that river it was dry. Toilets are something that needs real attention because the mobile toilets were disgusting,” she said.