Wear Well and Premier Eswatini have, through the Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture (ENCAC), dressed the country’s beauty queens who will be participating in the Umhlanga Reed Dance ceremony.
Yesterday marked the beginning of the journey for over 50 maidens, led by ENCAC Culture Manager Thembekile Dlamini.
Wear Well donated eight pairs of stylish Nike sneakers, ensuring the maidens would march comfortably to their commissioned places. Meanwhile, Premier Eswatini provided over 30 T-shirts and 100 loaves of bread to keep their energy high.
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The colourful procession was led by prominent figures, including Miss Eswatini Temvelo Mtsetfwa, Miss Cultural Heritage Eswatini Gcinizwi Tsikati, and their princesses.
Adding an inspiring international touch, a group of maidens from Mpumalanga, South Africa, joined the festivities as part of a cultural exchange with the Mpumalanga Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation.
The air was filled with joyful singing and energetic dancing, as the maidens expressed pride and excitement for the days ahead.
ENCAC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Stanley Dlamini shared his enthusiasm for this year’s event, highlighting the significant increase in participation compared to previous years.
“We are thrilled to see this year’s libutfo looking so vibrant and ready for the journey ahead,” he said.
“Our partnership with sponsors Wear Well and Premier Eswatini has been invaluable in making this possible.”
Junior officials sent by Leah Martha Mabuza, MEC of the Mpumalanga Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation, shared that the maidens who would be attending the ceremony from Mpumalanga would be 42 in total.
Culture Manager Thembekile Dlamini extended heartfelt thanks to Wear Well and Premier Eswatini for their crucial support, noting that their contributions would carry the maidens far during the special cultural experience.
“The Umhlanga Reed Dance continues to be a powerful celebration of heritage, sisterhood, and cultural pride, and this year’s event promises to be one of the most memorable yet,” she said.
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