The Somagwaza Institute is urging the public to support a group of men who last week embarked on their journey to manhood.
The project, which focusses on preserving and conserving the tradition of the initiation custom, is designed to restore dignity of young and old men who are vulnerable and have no means to undergo this essential ritual in the Xhosa culture.
In 2022, the Institute received eleven requests from families who could not afford this important ritual for their boys. Last year, the number rose to 41.
This year 47 initiates from Langa, Gugulethu, Nyanga, Khayelitsha and one from the Eastern Cape will benefit.
These boys, who went to the initiation school on Friday 8 November and expected to be back on December 16, will need to be fed three times a day for the entire period they are in the mountain.
The brains behind this project, Joy Mkunqwana, is pleading for food and monetary donations from companies, organisations and like-minded individuals who would like to play an active role.
Mkunqwana explained: “We also call on recruitment agencies to secure these boys training and employment opportunities when they come out in December. This played a crucial role in building the self-esteems of those who went through the process in the past two years.”
The offices are situated at Ikhaya Loxolo Old Age Home in Gugulethu, opposite KFC at the Gugulethu Square Mall. The banking details: Somagwaza Institute, Standard Bank, Acc: 10165217667, Branch Code: 025309
- To assist contact Mkunqwana on 079 155 6344 or Sikelela Zokufa at 079 155 6344.
