Umhlanga - not a strip show for the King

To most visiting public the Umhlanga ceremony is where the 'virgins parade in front of the king' so that he can choose one to be his wife.  In 2008 Reuters carried headline; Bare-breasted virgins compete for Swaziland king reporting on the event.

The event that attracted multitudes of tourists including foreign media around the world to the kingdom of Swaziland was held last week in Ludzidzini royal residence between Mbabane and Manzini.  Foreigners at the event were expecting to see King Mswati III pick wife number 14.  So when is he choosing the wife, was a question from one German visitor.  Another Asian photographer also told this writer that he expects the King would choose on the last day. Some of the visiting COMESA delegates from African countries were also expecting to see Mswati pick one from the 60 000 virgins that paraded before him.