Eleven young women were injured in a stampede at the Reed Dance Festival in Kwazulu Natal on Saturday, the provincial arts and culture department said.

"Three of the maidens are in a critical but stable condition and all of them were taken to St Benedictine Hospital in Nongoma," departmental spokesperson Vukan Mbhele said in a statement.

He said the incident happened around noon at King Goodwill Zwelithini's Enyokeni Royal Residence, in Nongoma.

"The department...wishes all the maidens who have been injured a speedy recovery," Mbhele said.

Police spokesperson Superintendent Muzi Mngomezulu said the stampede was caused by "pushing and shoving" while the young women were walking up to the palace.

He said about 20 000 people were attending the event.

Thousands of maidens descend annually at the royal palace for the festival to celebrate the reed dance festival which was introduced by King Shaka decades ago.