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09/12/2004:

"Changing the attitudes of Africa's youth"

The young girl beams as she talks about her expectations of the annual Umkhosi Womhlanga (Royal Reed Dance).

Nokuthula Shezi is not only excited about the festival because she is attending it for the first time, but also because it coincides with her 16th birthday.

It is Friday and the Sunday Tribune team is on board one of the 70 buses ferrying young Zulu maidens from all over KwaZulu-Natal to King Goodwill Zwelithini's Enyokeni Palace in Nongoma.

Nokuthula says, "I'm very excited - it's my first encounter. Umkhosi Womhlanga is very important because it not only unites young people, but is also a cultural celebration which emphasises the importance of abstaining from sex.

"If we continue like this, I believe that in 10 years we'll have an Aids-free generation."

Full Article : www.iol.co.za