Durban - As the date for King Goodwill Zwelithini’s Reed Dance ceremony draws closer, accommodation facilities in Ulundi and Nongoma have been fully booked.
The ceremony – Umkhosi Womhlanga – attracts thousands of maidens from South Africa, neighbouring countries and overseas. Thousands also travel from across the world to observe the annual Zulu heritage event and festivities, which will be on September 5 and 6 this year.
Most facilities in the two towns close to Enyokeni Palace, where the annual event is held, said business had been brisk.
A spokeswoman for Intibane Lodge in Ulundi said it was fully booked two weeks ago. The Garden Courtin Ulundi, was also fully booked.
Phumuzinyawo Lodge manager Muke Dladla said that her lodge started getting bookings in June. She said some companies had booked in bulk for staff and clients.
“The ceremony has proven more popular with people from outside Ulundi. Every year, they are coming in big numbers,” said Dladla.
The director of Khula Guest House in Nongoma, Thula Zulu, said Umkhosi Womhlanga had become a massive attraction in the rural town. He said most of his bookings were from the Eastern Cape tourists.
“The streets become crowded with people from outside. We see people from overseas walking the streets,” he said. “Umkhosi Womhlanga is a money spinner.”
Bayede! Royal Zulu Signature Selection chief executive officer Antoinette Vermooten said her five-year-old company would attend the ceremony to promote Zulu culture among international tourists. “We promote Zulu beadwork, wine, tea and olive oil, all with the Bayede brand. We have created 820 jobs for rural women,” she said.
It was reported last year that the national Department of Arts and Culture had set aside more than R300 million to upgrade part of the Enyokeni Palace. The development would include accommodation and ablutions for the maidens.
However, Nonkanyiso Chonco, the spokeswoman for Nomkhubulwane Culture and Young Development Organisation, said although she welcomed the development, she did not welcome the concept of showers for the maidens.
“It kills the culture. Maidens should bath in the river at dawn. No matter how cold it is, the girls must bath in the river. We would appreciate it if the king could help us with women security guards to keep men away from the river,” she said.
The Mercury