The 2024 Summer Initiation Season officially began on November 13, marking the start of an important time for initiates, families, and communities. The opening event was held last week at KwaBhaca.
According to a statement issued by the Alfred Nzo District Municipality as part of ongoing monitoring efforts, the Department of Health handed over six vehicles to Forum members to enable regular visits to initiation schools throughout the season.
Jongilanga Sigcau, Chairperson of the Local House of Traditional Leaders in the Alfred Nzo District, expressed his gratitude to CoGTA for hosting the launch in KwaBhaca.
“We hope this initiative will assist our stakeholders in doing what is right in the initiation schools,” said Sigcau.
In preparation for the season, CoGTA, along with the Eastern Cape’s Alfred Nzo District Municipality and Umzimvubu Local Municipality, strengthened the capacity of cultural practitioners, providing them with the necessary skills and resources to ensure a safe and dignified rite of passage.
MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Zolile Williams, emphasised the importance of collaboration among families, initiates, cultural practitioners, healthcare providers, initiation forums, and traditional leaders in ensuring a safe and meaningful initiation season.
“By working together, we can uphold this custom with the utmost care and respect. To reduce the risk of fatalities in initiation schools, I encourage all fathers to support their sons throughout the initiation season,” said Williams.
He stressed that no child may be circumcised without a parent’s permission and added that traditional surgeons who are not government-trained are prohibited from performing circumcisions in the Alfred Nzo District.
“This season we will arrest anyone who takes children without parental consent for circumcision.
“The government is ready, but parents must also take responsibility and work with us,” said Williams.
He added that parents and relatives play a vital role in the process, as families are responsible for ensuring the child’s readiness for circumcision.
He encouraged uncles and brothers of initiates to visit the initiation schools to check on their well-being and ensure they were not exposed to drugs.
“Men should visit initiation schools, as this custom belongs to them. They should not go there to drink but to provide support and encourage these boys as they transition into manhood. By taking these steps, we can ensure that initiates return home safely,” Williams added.
The Chairperson of the Provincial House of Traditional and Khoi-San leaders in the Eastern Cape, Nkosi Mpumalanga Gwadiso, noted that they have worked closely with all stakeholders to ensure compliance with the Customary Initiation Act (Act 2 of 2021) across the province.
“We will continue to provide support to ensure that initiation is practised safely in the Eastern Cape,” said Gwadiso.
