The Zulu Reed Dance More than 25 000 Zulu virgins gather at the King’s Enyokeni Traditional Residence for this very colourful and meaningful ceremony every September which promotes respect for young women, and preserves the custom of keeping girls as virgins until marriage. In the olden days, the women gathered at the Zulu Reed Ceremony (Umkhosi woMhlanga) and men at the First Fruits Ceremony (Umkhosi wokweshwama). The Zulu Reed dance is an educational experience and opportunity for young maidens to learn how to behave before the Zulu King . This is done whilst delivering reed sticks, singing and dancing. Maidens learn and understand the songs while the young princesses lead the virgins. The maidens wear ‘izigege’ and ‘izinculuba’ that show their bottoms. Traditional attire includes beadwork to symbolise African beauty at its best. At this stage the maidens are taught by senior females how to behave themselves and be proud of their virginity and naked bodies. That allows maidens to expect respect from their suitors who intend approaching them during the ceremony. The second phase is educating the young maidens ‘amatshitshi’ by their older sisters ‘amaqhikiza’ on how to behave in married life. Young maidens are encouraged not to argue or respond immediately but to wish the suitor well on his journey back. ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy-7DAt9YLE

Umemulo Umemulo is a traditional Zulu coming of age ceremony for women. The rituals involve slaughtering a cow and the traditional Zulu dance Ukusina involving a spear. A woman's Umemulo ceremony signifies that the she is now ready for marriage. Umemulo meaning Umemulo is one of the many beautiful Zulu words whose English translation is “coming of age.” While the word is synonymously Zulu, the ceremony it represents can be found in other cultures all over the world such as the Hispanic Quinceaneras. It marks the transition of a girl into womanhood signifying she is an adult and therefore ready for marriage. Umemulo ceremony preparation Umemulo is not just a birthday party; it is a process that involves years of planning from the moment a girl hits puberty at around 13 or 14 years of age. Immediately she starts her menstrual cycle, the countdown to her Umemulo begins and ends with the actual ceremony once she turns 21. Traditionally, the girl is supposed to undergo various classes where she is taught of everything that is expected of her and the disappointments she may face once she crosses into womanhood. Chastity is highly valued at this stage with the crowning jewel being the Umemulo ceremony that is solely for virgins. In keeping with this requirement, Zulu girls may be required to attend monthly virginity classes from their first period to the moment they undergo their Umemulo ceremony. In as much as these classes are to test virginity, they are also used to educate the girls on all matters self-worth, respect, and womanhood. Once a girl reaches 21 and having fulfilled her Zulu tradition obligation she can now prepare for her Umemulo. Umemulo Ceremony The ceremony begins a week before the set date which is more often a Saturday. During the week, the girl undergoing her Umemulo ceremony (bride) is not allowed outside the house. Everything she needs is provided by her bridesmaids (izimpelesi) for the whole week, and she gets the bride treatment all week. On the eve of her ceremony, the girl is allowed to go out for a few minutes, covered with a blanket to welcome the cow the family gifts her as a present. Once she does this, she retreats to the hut once again amid singing. The cow is very significant, and each part plays a significant role in the Umemulo ceremony the following day. In the middle of the night, all the girls leave the house completely naked to go and sleep by a river singing and dancing all night. In the morning, the ukuhlolwa (final virginity test) is carried out by a ngobese and once positive a lot of ululations to alert the family is made. All the girls bathe and get ready in their Zulu traditional wear to begin the celebration. The fat from the cow that was slaughtered is put around her head once she and her izimpelesi co ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYxPrZ7z7wA

Julius Malema addressing eff members outside Pretoria High Court Ledwaba said the act was in line with the constitution, which does not allow for the incitement of violence. "To this extent, any limitation is reasonable and justified in an open and democratic society, as it serves the rationale of criminalising conduct which evidences the intention to incite others to commit criminal acts." But the judges ruled that the section stating that someone convicted of incitement should be sentenced "as if they had actually committed the crime [which they incited]" is unconstitutional. "There is no rational connection between the sentencing provision of the crime prevention of the section. The mere possibility of criminal sanction is enough to successfully dissuade one from inciting another," Ledwaba said. ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1CgQFgZTOQ

16 - The Book Of Nehemiah - Audio King James Version NEHEMIAH Nehemiah, a Jewish cupbearer to the King of Persia, becomes Governor in Jerusalem and encourages the rebuilding of the city walls, in the face of opposition. The Cup Bearer Nehemiah was a Jewish exile who served as a cupbearer to the Persian monarch, Artaxerxes, about 446 BC. Following the decree of Cyrus in 536 BC some of the Jews had returned to the land of Israel. However, adversaries had succeeded in slowing down the work of restoration. Now, some 90 years later, the walls of Jerusalem were in a state of disrepair. Nehemiah prayed to God about it (1:4). Sorrow for Jerusalem Nehemiah’s sorrow for the state of Jerusalem showed in his face. Artaxerxes demanded to know the reason for Nehemiah’s fallen countenance. A quick prayer to God by Nehemiah (2:4) was immediately answered. Artaxerxes gave Nehemiah authority to go to Jerusalem and personally take charge of the rebuilding work. The wall is finished Despite further opposition from “Arabians, Ammonites and Ashdodites”, and others, the wall was completed in a mere 52 days (6:15)! Ezra the scribe had returned to Jerusalem some 11 years earlier (Ezra 7) and for a while had been able to instruct and encourage the Jews in the ways of God. Now, with Nehemiah as Governor of the Land, the opposition was kept at bay, though the Jews themselves needed further reform. The Reading of God's Word The people were helped most when Ezra and his assistant priests read daily to them from God’s Word when they assembled with their families in the streets of Jerusalem. They saw the need to change their ways. All were in need, including some religious leaders—who were among the worst offenders (13:29). Some interesting links with other parts of the Bible For example: Compared with: a) Nehemiah a) Exodus 20:6; 1:5; 9:32 Daniel 9:4 b) Nehemiah b) Daniel 9:3-23; 1:4; 2:4 Psalm 34:15 c) Nehemiah c) Malachi 2:4,7,11; 13:29 1 Peter 2:5 Credits: http://scourby.com by Alexander Scourby narration of the King James. Litchfield Associates ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rdm1sgpFX4I