In a significant event held at the Ludzidzini royal village in Lobamba, over 5,000 attendees gathered to witness a remarkable ceremonial occasion. The focal point of this gathering was the marriage of 21-year-old Nomcebo Zuma to the 56-year-old King Mswati III, making her the king's 16th wife.
During the ceremony, Zuma participated in the traditional reed dance, known as Umhlanga, which is a rite of womanhood where young women sing and dance for the king. This cultural event features participants wearing traditional attire, including anklets, colorful tassels, and carrying mock swords and shields, as they perform with their bare chests exposed.
The reed dance is celebrated in Eswatini as a display of the nation's cultural heritage. It is an event that emphasizes the elegance and tradition of the kingdom's customs. In Eswatini, some of these dancers are referred to as liphovela, indicating their status as royal fiancées or concubines.
King Mswati III has ruled the country of 1.2 million since 1986 and has often chosen younger brides, a practice that has frequently drawn attention and made international headlines due to the notable age differences and his contentious rule. The king’s marriages and the cultural ceremonies surrounding them remain a significant aspect of Eswatini’s culture and international interest.