By Bongiwe Dlamini

MBABANE: Zulu King Musuzulu kaZwelithini has cancelled the second leg of the uMkhosi woMhlanga (Reed Dance) as a show of respect to Zulu prime minister Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi who died on Saturday, The Citizen has reported.

Addressing Zulu maidens attending the first leg of the festival at the eNyokeni Royal Palace in Nongoma on Saturday, King Misuzulu kaZwelithini said the decision to cancel the second leg of the Reed Dance was taken to give the maidens space to mourn Buthelezi.

“What this means is that today will be the last day of the Reed Dance Festival, until we meet again next year, if the Lord so wishes,” he said.