Other girls present at the occasion are expected to wear the Zulu traditional attire. The girls are made to sleep by the riverside naked on the eve of the ceremony.

MamKhize dazzled in her striking Zulu traditional attire, adorned with detailed beadwork and patterns. She emphasised the importance of Heritage Day as a reminder of resilience, heritage, and hope.

The who’s who of South African politics will be dolled up in their traditional attire when Mzobe ties the knot with Philile Shangase, 22, in Eshowe on May 11.

Ahead of the annual Reed dance in Zulu kingdom, young girls in their thousands have undergone virginity test in their districts to affirm their purity before Zulu King, Goodwill Zwelithini.

Shange, 21, from Eshowe, told TimesLIVE that she decided to perform the dance because she is proud of her roots. "I could have gone in my heels and dress but I opted for traditional attire," she said.

Paying tribute to His Majesty, King Misuzulu kaZwelithini, the Department of Basic Education invited learners and staff at schools throughout KwaZulu-Natal to wear traditional Zulu attire today.