Reed Dance | AmaZulu heritage shines in colourful annual festival

The eMashobeni palace at Pongola in northern KwaZulu-Natal is a hive of activity as thousands of amaZulu maidens from all over the country prepare for the annual reed dance. The amaZulu cultural ceremony - uMkhosi woMhlanga - sees thousands of young amaZulu women gather at the royal residence, carrying reeds cut from riverbeds. Their procession, led by a princess, is accompanied by singing and dancing while they're adorned with elaborate beadwork. The unbroken reeds they carry are symbolic of their virginal purity. King MisuZulu is expected to address the ceremony later today. SABC News Reporters Jayed Paulse AND Simphiwe Makhanya are watching that story for us and joins us live from Emashobeni Royal Palace in oPhongolo. For more news, visit sabcnews.com and #SABCNews on all Social Media platforms.