The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, together with Eastern Cape Kings, met to collectively chart a road-map towards safer customary initiation and the zero-death target.
The meeting took place in East London recently. According to a statement issued by Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, at the heart of the meeting they were seeking counsel from their Majesties as custodians of customary practices.
Additionally, the engagement presented an opportunity to strengthen multidisciplinary stakeholder collaboration, to solidify an all-inclusive approach in the protection and promotion of culture.
“Hlabisa is leading to collaboratively prepare for the upcoming winter customary initiation season. Key to Hlabisa’s strategy, which is anchored on meaningful stakeholder engagements, are the following pillars to safer customary initiation and achieving the zero-death target,” read the statement.
-The institution of traditional leaders must reclaim centrality in the promotion of customary initiation.
-The mobilisation of resources to intensify monitored and training to guarantee the safe practice of the culture.
-Active involvement of parents in the entire process of customary initiation.
-An awareness campaign focused primarily on schools to debunk falsehoods and myths associated with the customary initiation practice to prevent bullying and health risks such as dehydration.
– Early planning, registration, and the granting of approval by Traditional Leaders for customary initiation to be performed in adherence to established processes and procedures.
– Augmentation of law enforcement.
– Exploring avenues for penile reattachment procedures to maintain the dignity of affected young initiates.
-Consideration of the introduction of customary initiation health kits for initiates.
“Their Majesties committed to support efforts to prevent needless deaths and injuries owing to negligence and recklessness as well as criminality.
“The meeting called for the customary practices to embrace modernity as part of the evolution.
“Furthermore, the session raised serious concerns around the issues of drug and substance abuse, especially alcohol at initiation schools, as well as the treatment of pre-existing morbidities.”
This session with their Majesties is the first in a series of planned stakeholder engagements aimed at finding lasting solutions to preserve and safeguard this important sacred rite of passage from acts of criminality and abuse.
The meeting stemmed from the devastating loss of young lives during the recent summer initiation season, along with reported incidents of abuse. This tragedy underscores the urgent need for decisive action to ensure the safety of young boys transitioning into manhood.
