TELEVISION personality Minnie Dlamini was all smiles at the weekend as she celebrated her coming of age.
Her parents hosted a traditional ceremony, known as umhlonyana, for their only daughter at her home in Glen Hills, Durban North.
Dlamini’s parents held the event to thank their daughter for her good behaviour and recognise her growth from a girl into a woman.
The 24-year-old spent the past week indoors with other girls, because tradition would not allow her to been seen or to speak to anyone, unless a person paid for the privilege.
“I have not been going anywhere,” said Dlamini.
“I wasn’t allowed to change clothes so I have worn this dress for the whole week. I couldn’t put on any make-up or a weave, which is why I opted for a dry perm. My parents have done this because they recognise that I am now a woman and not a girl.”
While indoors, she and the other women present have been practising traditional songs and dance moves, which they performed on Saturday.
On Thursday, Dlamini went to collect a spear at her uncle’s house in Clermont, Durban.
At 4am on Saturday, she went to a river in Bellair in the city for a cleansing ceremony.
“My clothes that I’ve been wearing for a week were thrown in the river. I bathed in the river and I came out as a new woman, I have grown. I have always said I am a Zulu girl and, therefore, respect my culture, but we are also spiritually strong at home and we do praise God.”
Known for her bubbly personality, Dlamini sang and danced to traditional music during the ceremony.
Guests included businesswoman Basetsana Kumalo, cancer activist Zoleka Mandela and Ukhozi FM host Dudu Khoza.
Sunday Tribune