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FILE: There was excitement and ululation as those who went to the initiation school as girls, came home as women after a successful initiation period.
More than 200 young men in KwaMhlanga, Mpumalanga have braved the winter cold and went through two months of rigorous initiation and have graduated.
The Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) president Kgoshi Mathupa Mokoena, has noted commendable improvement this year, with no unusual incidents, such as deaths, assaults, or injuries, recorded among initiates.
Mokoena says this positive outcome can be attributed to effective regulation and oversight of initiation schools.
“In many instances, those deaths are caused by some recklessness and carelessness by those who are given the responsibility to run our schools. Amongst other things, you will find that the initiates are deprived access to water, at some point they are assaulted or treated as if they are training to become soldiers. We also have instances where some traditional surgeons do not even have the relevant experience. However, I’m grateful that we are working together to avoid any negative incidents, especially fatalities.”
Chairperson of the Moshate Dikoma Forum, Silas Masimini urged the initiates to respect tradition, culture and themselves after their experience in seclusion.
“What we are telling them is that they must go back home and show their parents respect as well as their community members.”
Contralesa has called for better collaboration between the Departments of Health and Co-operative Governance.
