Customised vehicles for Imbali living with disability in push for Umhlanga inclusion
By Sebulelo Magagula
(Intern)
In a landmark step toward promoting inclusivity at one of Eswatini’s most celebrated cultural events, the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office provided a specially designed vehicle to 30 disabled Imbali (maidens) ahead of this year’s Umhlanga Reed Dance.
The brand-new custom van accommodates up to 10 maidens and five wheelchairs, featuring safety belts and transfer-friendly seating to ensure easier and more dignified travel for participants.
Officials said the donation would ease transportation challenges and allow the maidens to take part fully in future national gatherings.
The initiative was further strengthened by the Royal Family’s pledge to provide two additional wheelchairs.
This comes after His Majesty King Mswati III recently presented the maidens with branded bags and t-shirts. The group has also been placed under the patronage of Princess Tebu, who is paying special attention to maidens with albinism.
According to the DPM’s Office, the maidens were grouped according to their needs: those with speech impairments, those using wheelchairs, and those with albinism.
All expressed gratitude for their support and emphasized their excitement to serve the King during Umhlanga 2025.
“Being part of Umhlanga and having our own car makes me feel like I truly belong. It’s not just a vehicle; it’s a symbol of how much our country values us,” said one maiden with albinism.
Another maiden who uses a wheelchair described the development as life-changing: “This is a dream come true for us. The new car and the support we’re receiving make it possible for all of us to attend and serve the King. We are a family, and now we can travel as one.”
Preparations are underway at kaBhamusakhe, where the maidens are cutting reeds under the guidance of Make Ndwandwe and Skhulile, sent by Inkhosikati laNgangaza. An interpreter, Bathabile, provides sign language support for those who cannot speak.
The maidens, who also host a program on local radio and television, proudly wear their traditional attire branded with the slogan “Asibambaneni sibe nguMndeni”, meaning “Let’s hold hands and be a family”, a testament to their unity and resilience.