Reed Dance ceremony kicks off in KZN
The two day royal event gets underway at the Enyokeni Royal Palace in Nongoma, in northern KwaZulu-Natal.
The event, which sees thousands of young virgins taking part each year, promotes abstinence and teaches the girls about Zulu customs.
The KZN Arts and Culture's Lethukuthula Mtshali says there will also be career exhibitions this year as well as health screenings for the girls.
On the matter of transport and safety he says they have left nothing to chance.
''We are working with the Department of Transport, the Road Traffic Inspectorate to ensure that at least they inspect everyone leaving for the ceremony, Umhlanga. I'm aware as well that the Department of Transport has said it would do random checks along the way as well,'' he said.
Last week, at least 38 Swazi maidens died after the truck they were being transported in was involved in an accident.
(File photo: Gallo Images)