Xhosa maidens join the Reed Dance in KZN

Xhosa maidens from Yabantu village near Hartbeespoort Dam in North-West have joined thousands of maidens at this year’s Reed Dance in KwaZulu -Natal.

Held at eMashobeni Royal Palace in uPhongolo , the annual event has brought together over 30 000 maidens from different communities.

ZULU REED DANCE | Maidens have travelled from across South Africa to take part in Umkhosi Womhlanga, honouring the tradition and celebrating Zulu culture. pic.twitter.com/8qSCbaNZLR — SABC News (@SABCNews) September 12, 2026 The Xhosa maidens say their participation is about promoting African unity, love and harmony.

They say, as Nguni people, they are united by shared values and traditions.

One of the Xhosa maidens says, “I’m here for the Reed Dance, I’m here to experience the Zulu culture and also to learn more about this heritage and its maintenance.

To the maidens, all I can say is that they must continue being virgins, it is a good thing.”