By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE:King Mswati’s annual uMhlanga Reed Dance Ceremony comes at a huge cost, taxpayers are spending over R50million for this annual cultural event in a country facing a collapsed health system amid shortage of drugs in public hospitals.

Information sourced from the Ministry of Home Affairs suggests that, the costs include transportation, branding of personalized emahiya, accommodation for King’s Guests, maintenance of the Ludzidzini Royal ‘Stadium’ where the main event is normally held, food and the buying of sneakers and other gifts for the young girls(Imbali) among others.

But apart from that, Government allegedly spends money even before the commencement of the cultural event as other girls within the Correctional Services, Army and the Police normally conduct rehearsals known as “kulandza ingoma”.

In siSwati, “kulandza ingoma” in the context of the uMhlanga Reed Dance Ceremony means the rehearsal of specific songs, it is during “kulandza ingoma” where songs mocking the pro-democracy movement and/or those calling for democracy are composed.

Reached for comments by this Swaziland News on Wednesday evening, King Mswati’s Spokesperson Percy Simelane referred comments to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

“Cultural events such the Reed Dance falls under the Ministry of Home Affairs.The Reed Dance budget is done by this Ministry”, said the King’s Spokesperson.

But Home Affairs Minister Princess Lindiwe was not immediately available for a comment.

Penuel Malinga is the Secretary General of the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO), he criticized the royal expenditure citing the collapsed health system and other social challenges facing the country while the King “spends more money on cultural events that gives him” a political mileage.

“As PUDEMO we are surprised because the country is facing a health crisis amid shortage of drugs in public hospitals but, more money is being spent on uMhlanga.This is an indication that the King does not care for the people such that, he prefers cultural events while people die in public hospitals,” said the PUDEMO Secretary General.

On another note, thousands of young girls were commissioned by King Mswati this week to cut reed as part of the uMhlanga Reed Dance Ceremony.