Buganu Festival 2nd leg set for Hlane next weekend
By Yamkelo Dlamini
The second leg of the annual Buganu Festival has been announced and scheduled to take place at Hlane Royal Residence from Friday, March 13, until Sunday, March 15.
This vibrant cultural showcase follows the successful first leg of the celebration that took place at Buhleni Royal residence and is expected to draw thousands of people from across the Kingdom to celebrate the harvest of the marula fruit.
Official details regarding the weekend’s proceedings at Hlane royal residence were revealed by Indvuna Phindile Matsebula, who confirmed the dates and the venue for this significant traditional event.
In her announcement, Indvuna Matsebula sent out a formal call to all regiments, advising them to bring their Buganu brew as they prepare to attend the ceremony in honour of Their Majesties.
She emphasized that the participation of the regiments is a vital part of the festival’s success and urged them to arrive at the royal residence on Friday to begin the festivities.
In addition to the Indvuna’s call, the Minister of Home Affairs, Princess Lindiwe, provided specific guidelines regarding the ceremonial attire and conduct for the weekend.
Minister Dlamini announced that there will be a clear distinction in the dress code to ensure a beautiful and uniform display of culture. She stated that the regiments are expected to wear an orange lihiya on Saturday, while the dress code for the final day on Sunday will be the red lihiya.
The Minister noted that these colours are an important part of the visual tradition of the Hlane second leg of the festival. Beyond the attire, Minister Dlamini issued a heartfelt appeal to all participants regarding their behaviour. She asked the regiments to prepare themselves thoroughly, both physically and mentally, for the dance and song that lies ahead.
Most importantly, she urged the women to carry themselves with the respect and dignity during the course of the celebration at Hlane. The Minister stressed that the festival is a time of national pride and that the conduct of the regiments should reflect the high values of the nation’s heritage.
The Buganu Festival remains one of the most significant events on the cultural calendar, symbolizing unity and the sharing of the season’s bounty.
With the regiments expected to arrive in high spirits starting this Friday, the mood from the people of Hlane is set to be one of joy, tradition, and deep-rooted cultural respect.