The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey participated in the annual Buganu festival in Eswatini on Saturday 9th March, 2024 as part of her official visit to the Southern African Kingdom.
The festival commemorates the harvest season of the Marula fruit, a staple from which a popular brew is made, and the “Amarula” bottled alcoholic beverage is distilled from.
The event is one of the biggest traditional celebrations on the continent and is overseen by King Mswati III, and features over 30,000 female dancers with representation from Southern and West Africa. As a special guest, Hon. Shirley Botchwey was adorned in the unique and beautiful traditional Swazi attire for the festival.
During the visit, the Hon. Minister held bilateral meetings with His Majesty Mswati III, King of Eswatini, as well as the Foreign Minister of Eswatini, Hon. Pholile Dlamini-Shakantu.
The issues discussed at the meetings included mutual bilateral and multilateral interests and how to strengthen cooperation at both levels.