“I Have Really Enjoyed”: Young SA Girl Shares Experience of Zulu Reed Dance in KZN
- Anastasia Fourie, a young maiden from Eshowe, participated in the 2026 Umkhosi Womhlanga in KwaZulu-Natal
- The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport, Arts and Culture shared a video of her speaking about what the cultural celebration meant to her
- South Africans had mixed but largely warm reactions to seeing a white South African embrace the Zulu tradition
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Source: Facebook
Anastasia Fourie, a young lady from Eshowe, KwaZulu-Natal, turned heads at this year's Umkhosi Womhlanga. She participated in the annual Reed Dance at eMashobeni Royal Palace near uPhongolo, joining thousands of maidens dressed in traditional attire.
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport, Arts and Culture shared a video of Anastasia speaking about the experience. Filmed outdoors at the event, with attendees in traditional dress visible in the background, the clip quickly drew attention online.
"I have really enjoyed how they celebrate their children and how everything is done. I like how they're girls and they're cultured, and I also like the women."
Anastasia shares what the Reed Dance means to her
Anastasia's participation placed her among thousands of young women taking part in one of KwaZulu-Natal's major cultural gatherings.
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The uMkhosi Womhlanga celebrates Zulu culture and traditions while promoting values including self-respect, dignity and cultural pride among young women. Maidens present reeds to AmaZulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini as part of the ceremony.
Anastasia previously described taking part as an honour and a new experience, saying she enjoyed learning about Zulu culture and the way the celebration is conducted.
The ceremony celebrates Zulu culture and womanhood
The Umkhosi Womhlanga is a significant Zulu cultural ceremony centred on young women presenting reeds to the Zulu monarch.
The tradition is associated with cultural education, self-respect and the transition from maidenhood to womanhood. Older women and princesses also play a role in guiding and teaching the young women taking part.
The 2026 celebrations attracted tens of thousands of maidens to eMashobeni Royal Palace, with Anastasia and fellow debutant Kelly Kleinbooi from Greytown among those who drew attention for their participation.
View the Facebook video below:
Mzansi reacts to Anastasia embracing the tradition
South Africans had plenty to say in the comments section on the page, with many welcoming Anastasia's participation and discussing what it means to embrace another community's cultural traditions.
@Sipho Radebe wrote:
"Being Zulu isn't a skin colour... It's submission to the culture and throne."
@Sonwabiso Sjekula said:
"I don't see anything wrong with this. South Africa is a rainbow nation. Even our late King Zwelithini used to dress like..."
@Cydville Frans Frans shared:
"Beautiful. I just love this. We should ALL participate in each other's cultural activities. If Orania has one, we must join..."
@Manny Lutchaman said:
"Yebo yessss"
More Briefly News stories on the Reed Dance
- Two women from non-Zulu backgrounds joined thousands of maidens at the 2026 Reed Dance, highlighting the ceremony’s appeal beyond the Zulu community.
- King Misuzulu joked about Queen Nomusa Mchiza during his Reed Dance address, with the moment catching Mzansi’s attention.
- Anele Mgudlwa and her husband attended the Reed Dance as guests of the Zulu Royal Family, impressing fans in traditional attire.
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Source: Briefly News
