By Bahle Gama
With the price of lihiya giving heartache to emaSwati, especially at the peak of national events, the Lutsango regiment has extended appreciation to Their Majesties for the provision of lihiya during the Buganu Festival.
This was first seen at the first session of the ceremony at Buhleni Royal Residence when the regiments were given a red lihiya alongside other marula beauty products.
At Hlane Royal Residence, they were given an orange lihiya with the same emaganu tree which indicates the season in which the nation commemorates the first harvest of the first fruits, emaganu which are made to produce buganu and other products.
Interviewed women stated that the lihiya did not only save them from the expense of having to purchase an expensive lihiya but also allowed them to look uniform.
“Just like in school, there is the provision to wear a school uniform which makes every pupil look the same despite their background. Some of us cannot afford to buy lihiya yet we would love to look good during such events, sikhuta liBayethe,” said laSibiya from Siteki.
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Another was an employee from the Financial Regulator’s Authority who said the lihiya made everyone look the same. There was no classification of who is who and described it as a “phenomenal thing to be done by Their Majesties.”
The observation was seen by a lot of people who exclaimed that it was difficult to tell the women apart when they were making their way to the dancing arena.
On Friday, when delivering buganu and gifts before Her Majesty the Indlovukazi, many entities and organisations were draped in their customised lihiya with their company logo.
However, at the gathering on Saturday, where the women were all in the dancing arena for kutsamba, they all looked the same and elegant in the orange lihiya and they each stepped onto the dancing field to show off their skills.
On Thursday, March 7, when presenting the budget for the Ministry of Home Affairs, Princess Lindiwe was urged by Members of Parliament to regulate the selling of lihiya in the country.
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The MPs stated that the price had increased drastically over the years making it difficult for emaSwati to purchase it when it forms the main part of imvunulo.
“We are Swatis, why must we pay so much for lihiya when it forms part of our regalia and is the most used throughout the year in national ceremonies? What is more frustrating is that this is done by one person. We ask that the Ministry looks into this and finds a solution for the nation,” submitted one MP.
