BY MBONO MDLULI
HLANE – The annual Buganu Ceremony continued to attract prominent leaders from across the African continent as South Africa’s Minister of Water and Sanitation Hon. Pemmy Majodina joined thousands of members of Lutsango in delivering tetfulo (gifts) before Her Majesty the Indlovukazi at Hlane Royal Residence.
Hon. Majodina participated in the ceremony on Friday, March 13, 2026, alongside members of Lutsango from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy Eswatini (MNRE). The ministry’s regiment carried out the traditional custom of presenting marula brew and other gifts to Their Majesties during the second leg of the Buganu celebrations held at Hlane.
The ceremony forms part of one of Eswatini’s most significant cultural celebrations. The Buganu ceremony marks the end of the marula harvesting season and brings together women from across the country under various Lutsango regiments representing government ministries, organisations and communities. During the ceremony, regiments present traditional marula brew known as Buganu together with symbolic gifts to the royal household as a sign of respect and unity.
The second leg of the Buganu celebrations at Hlane Royal Residence follows the first leg that was held earlier at Buhleni Royal Residence. The event at Hlane attracts thousands of women who perform traditional songs, dances and cultural rituals that celebrate the Kingdom’s heritage and strengthen national identity.
According to information from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy, Hon. Majodina’s visit to the Kingdom coincided with the signing of the revised Komati Basin Water Authority (KOBWA) Treaty between Eswatini and South Africa. The agreement is expected to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in managing shared water resources while unlocking new development opportunities and supporting regional economic growth.
Her participation in the Buganu ceremony also highlighted the strong relations between Eswatini and South Africa, demonstrating how the Kingdom’s cultural events continue to attract high-level international guests.
The participation of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy’s Lutsango regiment further reflected the ministry’s commitment to preserving and promoting the Kingdom’s cultural traditions while maintaining strong ties with the monarchy.
The Buganu ceremony has increasingly drawn the attention of prominent African leaders in recent years. During last year’s celebrations, the event also hosted several notable female politicians including South Africa’s National Assembly Speaker Hon. Thoko Didiza, former Speaker of the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature of South Africa Hon. Lindi Lettie Masina, Deputy Chairperson of Multi Party Women’s Caucus in South Africa Hon. Dereleen Elana James, Kenyan Member of Parliament Hon. Beatrice Kahai Adagala, Zambian National Assembly Member Hon. Emeldah Munashabantu, Zambia’s National Assembly Senior Hansard Editor Wakumelo Lutangu, and Onoja Obiageli, who is from Nigeria.
Their participation reflected the growing regional interest in Eswatini’s cultural celebrations.
As thousands of women gathered at Hlane Royal Residence to deliver Buganu and tetfulo, the ceremony once again highlighted the Kingdom’s deep respect for tradition, cultural heritage and unity among EmaSwati.
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