All systems go for Umthayi Marula Festival
The province of KwaZulu-Natal has once more rolled out the red carpet in anticipation of thousands of visitors, some from neighbouring Swaziland and Mozambique, who are expected to attend this year’s Umthayi Marula Festival.
The festival, which takes place this Saturday, 17 February at the eMfihlweni Royal Residence in the far north of the province, is spearheaded by the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs.
It is an annual ritual of the Tembe clan where older women deliver a brew derived from the first fruits of the marula harvest to their chief, Inkosi Mabhuda Tembe.
Commenting ahead of the festival, the KZN MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Mr. Sihle Zikalala, said the Umthayi Marula Festival had become one of the more prominent cultural activities on the province’s calendar.
“Our continued support for the Umthayi Marula Festival has over the years seen the festival graduating into a major tourism draw card that attracts both locals and visitors that come from as far afield as the Seychelles, Mozambique and Swaziland.”
Members of the media are invited to attend the uMthayi Marula Festival, to be held as follows:
Date: Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: eMfihlweni Royal Residence, KwaTembe
Time: 7h00
Enquiries:
Bongani Tembe
Cell: 082 327 2600
Siyabonga Maphumulo
Cell: 082 330 5132
