What is the Umkhosi woMhlanga?
The Reed Dance, held annually in early September, gathers thousands of young Zulu women who dress in traditional attire and carry reeds in procession. They present them to the Zulu monarch in a show of respect and continuity. The ritual emphasizes values of dignity, womanhood, and unity while reinforcing a living connection to Zulu heritage.
This year, the event was once again held in eMashobeni Palace, oPhongolo, near the border with Eswatini, the birthplace of Queen Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu, the late mother of the current king. The location is significant: moving the dance closer to Eswatini reflects both family ties and political strategy.
Who Leads the Ceremony?
The current Zulu monarch, King Misuzulu kaZwelithini, presides over the Reed Dance. He succeeded his father, the late King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu, who passed away in March 2021. After his death, the royal house was shaken by disputes over succession.
Some members of the family rallied behind Prince Simakade Zulu, the king's half-brother, who was installed by a rival faction in a competing ceremony. Others contested Misuzulu's justice in court. The battle revealed deep divisions within the royal household and brought the monarchy into the public eye in ways not seen for decades.
How Did He Secure the Throne?
King Misuzulu's position was strengthened by support from his late mother's family in Eswatini. His maternal uncle, King Mswati III of Eswatini, played a crucial role in backing his nephew during the succession crisis. That alliance gave Misuzulu a powerful regional partner at a moment when his own royal lineage was being challenged at home.
The Reed Dance's relocation to emashobeni Palace, close to Eswatini's border, is widely interpreted as a symbolic nod to those ties.
Why Does This Matter?
The Reed Dance is not only a cultural ceremony—it is also a stage for royal authority. By leading the procession and receiving the reeds, King Misuzulu reaffirms his role as custodian of Zulu tradition. His visible presence at the event counters rival claims and strengthens his strength among supporters.
The choice of Eswatini as a political and cultural anchor is even more striking given his recent decision to take another wife from the Swazi royal household. This marriage, formalized during Eswatini's own Reed Dance ceremony, deepens the cross-border royal connection while reinforcing Misuzulu's claim to power through maternal and marital alliances.
Tensions and Continuity
Still, the divisions in the Zulu royal family remain unresolved. Prince Simakade retains support among certain factions, and legal disputes over the throne continue to surface. For ordinary South Africans, however, the Reed Dance remains a celebration of identity and heritage.
On Heritage Day, when the country reflects on the cultures that shape its national character, the Umkhosi woMhlanga reminds South Africans that heritage is not only about the past—it is about power, belonging, and continuity in the present.