King Misuzulu kaZwelithini is set to choose a fourth wife from among the maidens attending this year’s Reed Dance.
The king announced his intention at the ukuThela Amanzi rituals in Nongoma when he appealed to Zulu maidens to attend the annual ceremony at eNyokeni Royal Palace in Nongoma, KwaZulu-Natal, in large numbers.
The ceremony, also known as the Mkhosi woMhlanga, is expected to be held on the last weekend of August or the first weekend of September. The date will be announced soon.
“I am calling you, the roses of the nation, to come in large numbers to this year’s annual Reed Dance,” the king said. “It’s a milestone because we will mark 40 years since the ceremony was revived by the late King Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu.
“I might choose one of you to be my wife, I promise, this time,” the king said with a laugh.
The king’s comments come after some Zulus criticised him for not previously choosing a wife from the Reed Dance participants.
Recently, the King faced criticism for paying lobola to his fiancée, Nomzamo kaMyeni, from Machobeni Royal Palace, who has a child from a previous relationship.
The late King Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu only chose one wife from the Reed Dance, his fifth wife, Queen MaMchiza of eNyokeni, who was chosen in 1984 when the Reed Dance was revived.
The Zulu Kingdom uses the centuries-old ceremony to teach young girls about becoming strong women and preparing for adulthood.
Pictured above: Maidens are expected to flock to Nongoma to mark the 40-year milestone of the revived Reed Dance.
