New initiation act hailed in awareness drive

THE new Customary Male Initiation Practice Act was the core topic at a dialogue held in Mthatha recently.

The dialogue was hosted by Umhlobo Wenene FM and Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders (ECHTL) last Friday as part of an awareness campaign to encourage safe and legal initiation practices.

The panel consisted of Mthatha chief prosecuting advocate Vuyani Genu, Chief Bakhanyisele Ranuga, Chief Nosiseko Ngqika, Chief Jonginyaniso Mtirara, Brigadier Vukile Ntandane and the education department’s Happy Bongoza.

Mtirara applauded the new act, saying it put illegal and botched circumcisions behind them.

“Customary male initiation is one of our most beautiful and important traditions but it is losing its value because there is too much focus on circumcision and not enough on the initiation, which is the core of our custom. Sadly, there are not enough surgeons with customary expertise and knowledge of initiation and that is why [youths] are dying like flies. You have surgeons who do not abide by customary laws. Some are not even licensed,” said Mtirara.

He said parents needed to stand up, take charge and monitor their children in initiation schools.

“Bad things happen at some illegal schools. You find young men who are neither the surgeon nor the guardian [ ikhankhatha], they bring drugs and alcohol and wrong teachings ... boys ... get beaten up, starved and dehydrated – and where are the parents? This law forces parents to be actively and visibly involved and that will surely go far in saving lives.”

Ntandane also hailed the act. “We may have had no leg to stand on before but with the act and the education drives and awareness campaigns no one can cry foul when we arrest them, and that will be a big deterrent for those who practise illegal circumcisions,” he said.

Genu added that often they received cases but could not take them further because initiates themselves would not cooperate.

“With the law on our side, we cannot allow our boys to die because of people who think they can do as they please without consequences,” he said. —