By Bahle Gama
The Eswatini Tourism Authority (ETA) is calling upon the media to ensure that the Buganu ceremony is well documented and fully to the world.
This was said by ETA CEO Linda Nxumalo during the Eswatini Events Calendar Activation at the Capital Hotel in Mbombela.
She stated that the activation aims to serve as a reminder that Eswatini stands ready even in 2023 to welcome tourists from Mpumalanga and Mozambique, “for an immersive experience of its world-renowned, unique and diverse tourism offering.”
The CEO did not hold back in speaking about the Buganu Ceremony that will begin on Friday throughout the weekend, where she encouraged the media to play its role.
“Help us document the spirit of unity, sense of pride, and women empowerment that the Marula Festival symbolizes. This is a time when the women of Eswatini pay homage to their Majesties with Her Majesty the Indlovukazi being the patron of the regiment known as Lutsango,” she said.
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She explained further that the key message of the Lutsango regiment is “phezukwomkhono” which encourages women to be proactive, productive, and industrious, adding that for hundreds of years, the women of Eswatini have responded to this call with sheer dedication and inspiring consistency.
“A shining example of this is the authentically-Eswatini cosmetic and skincare brand, Swati Secrets. This is a labour of love by women in rural Eswatini who are employed to pick the Marula Fruit from which Swazi Secrets’ products are made.”
“The women work tirelessly to crack the kernel which is where the Marula oil is then extracted to produce Swaziland Secrets’ world-renowned soaps, lotions and oils. From this, women can support their families and contribute towards alleviating poverty,” she said.
Nxumalo further stated that while they invite business and leisure tourists from Mpumalanga and Mozambique, “we also assure you that Eswatini is committed to supporting your respective events and tourism offerings through collaborative marketing as outlined in the Triland Agreement.”
She stated that she is confident that this exercise will draw tourists from across the continent and around the world to the region, adding that it was worth mentioning the impressive outcomes witnessed from the first Triland Excursion held in August 2022.
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This has been evidenced by tourists’ enthusiastic uptake, tour operators from Eswatini, Mpumalanga, and Mozambique responded swiftly to the call to package the Triland route.
“For this, allow me to express our sincerest gratitude to tour operators from Eswatini who are with us here today in Mpumalanga, and Mozambique for working tirelessly to make the experiences along the route widely known and easily accessible to all,” she said.
In the last two years alone, Eswatini has seen the emergence of new, one-of-a-kind tourism establishments comprising fine dining experiences, spas, intimate nature retreats at game and nature parks, water parks, zip lining, quad biking, game drives, and many more thrilling outdoor activities.
This she said signals the innovative nature of the Kingdom’s tourism industry and the resilience that has prompted the evolution of the industry even during a crippling global pandemic.
“I highlight this to invite you to come to Eswatini and come back again and again because there is always something new to indulge in and explore,” said Nxumalo.
