TSHEPONG.- The Hlatshwayo family celebrated the ‘Umhlonyane’ ka Nosipho Hlatshwayo. Nosipho made her family proud and happy as she did not abandon her roots and culture. A group of virgin girls were adorned in their Zulu traditional attire to celebrate Nosipho reaching womanhood.
Many young people have abandoned their culture and roots, but Nosipho managed to uphold and respect her culture. Neighbours came in numbers to the Hlatshwayo homestead in Tshepong to congratulate and celebrate Nosipho. ‘Izintobi’ (virgins) from Inkanyezi Zezwe escorted Nosipho to her ceremony. The ceremony is a traditional Zulu ritual performed when a girl reaches puberty, usually at the age of 14 and 16. The ceremony aims to teach and advise young woman about womanhood.
Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, Deliwe Mlangeni expressed her excitement as a proud parent. “As a single parent I am very proud of Nosipho who is a member of the virgin group (Inkanyezi Zezwe), where she is taught the right morals. She brings back Ubuntu and respect to our culture.”
A week before the ceremony, Nosipho had to attend an initiation school known as ‘Ukugonqa’, where she had to remain indoors until the day of the ceremony. She then had to go bath in the river following the virgin test (Ukuhlolwa). Throughout the event, girls were singing and dancing while family members and guests placed money on her headband and umbrella. She also received gifts.
In the interview, Nosipho stated that she is very grateful to her family.
“As a girl you should believe in yourself and your abilities. The more confident you are, the more empowered you feel. It doesn’t matter if someone else approves your choices, you should be confident in what you want and go for it. This journey I am on is not an easy path and not everyone will support me but as long as I have my family by my side I am okay. As girls we should try, in all aspects of our lives, to be successful. Empowerment comes from within.”
