Concerns over unwelcome ”sex perverts” have prompted the organisers of this weekend’s reed dance by Zulu maidens in Nongoma to impose strict access control.
The maidens ”are increasingly becoming targets of unscrupulous photographers and cameramen who take the pictures of maidens and flash them on internet porn sites”, a spokesperson said on Wednesday.
Nhlanhla Mtaka, media director for the Umkhosi woMhlanga ceremony at the eNyokeni Palace, said in a statement this undermines the objective of the ceremony.
The annual dance sees hundreds of topless Zulu maidens carrying reeds to Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini as a symbol of their purity and virginity.
Mtaka said: ”It has come to the attention of the organisers that this event has also been targeted by sex perverts masquerading as media personnel only to use the images for their nefarious purposes.”
In the past, people posing as photographers had violated the maidens’ privacy by following them to the river and illegally taking photographs of them while they bathed. ”This unprofessional behaviour cannot be tolerated and it undermines the objective of the ceremony,” said Mtaka.
To protect and preserve the sanctity of the ceremony on Saturday and Sunday, organisers will be strict about who will be allowed to take pictures. ”Those wishing to access the accreditation to cover this ceremony will have to prove their credential[s] beyond reasonable doubts,” said Mtaka.
Members of the media will be thoroughly vetted to ensure that only bona fide media practitioners gain access to the ceremony.
They will have to have their media cards on them at all times, observe protocol and not seek access to restricted areas. They will also have to list all the publications they intend supplying with the pictures taken at the event.
Media applications to cover the event have to be accompanied by a letter from an editor confirming the assignment, Mtaka said. — Sapa