Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders (ECHTL) Chief Ngangomhlaba Matanzima yesterday warned traditional leaders that if they did not take control of the initiation custom, their role would be questioned.
Matanzima was speaking on the last day of the Winter Initiation Season Summit in Mthatha, where he said the ECHTL had decided to take a back seat to allow traditional leaders and initiation forums to be at the forefront of the centuries-old custom in their villages.
While 24 initiates died this season, with the OR Tambo region accounting for 17 of the deaths and Alfred Nzo guilty of four deaths, Matanzima said slowly but surely they would win the battle and achieve zero deaths.
This year’s initiates’ death statistics are an improvement from last year’s, when 46 died in December and 29 in June.
Matanzima said to restore the custom’s dignity, the summit had agreed that there should be campaigns aimed at young boys at schools, churches and villages, with their parents educating them about conducting the custom the correct way.
“If we are not careful, we will lose control over the initiation custom. Maybe one day when I am no longer alive we will be questioned as to what is our role exactly, because as traditional leaders we know that the custom belongs to Great Places.
“Are we talking about troubled initiation in townships where there are no traditional leaders? Why are there problems where there are traditional leaders? I am touching on this because eventually politicians will ask what role these traditional leaders are playing in the initiation.”
Last week the OR Tambo Initiation Forum vowed to restore the dignity of the custom in the district.
Most of the deaths are caused by dehydration, while peer pressure and ridicule have been identified as the main reasons why young boys in the province continue to flock to illegal circumcision schools.
By law, youths must be 18 years and older to be circumcised and have permission from their parents. They are also supposed to be medically checked and in possession of a letter from a traditional leader authorising their circumcision.
Matanzima called for tighter legislation which would ensure that those who were arrested for botched circumcision or initiate deaths were sentenced. — ndamasem@dispatch.co.za
Chiefs called to take charge of initiation custom
Matanzima was speaking on the last day of the Winter Initiation Season Summit in Mthatha, where he said the ECHTL had decided to take a back seat to allow traditional leaders and initiation forums to be at the forefront of the centuries-old custom in their villages.
While 24 initiates died this season, with the OR Tambo region accounting for 17 of the deaths and Alfred Nzo guilty of four deaths, Matanzima said slowly but surely they would win the battle and achieve zero deaths.
This year’s initiates’ death statistics are an improvement from last year’s, when 46 died in December and 29 in June.
Matanzima said to restore the custom’s dignity, the summit had agreed that there should be campaigns aimed at young boys at schools, churches and villages, with their parents educating them about conducting the custom the correct way.
“If we are not careful, we will lose control over the initiation custom. Maybe one day when I am no longer alive we will be questioned as to what is our role exactly, because as traditional leaders we know that the custom belongs to Great Places.
“Are we talking about troubled initiation in townships where there are no traditional leaders? Why are there problems where there are traditional leaders? I am touching on this because eventually politicians will ask what role these traditional leaders are playing in the initiation.”
Last week the OR Tambo Initiation Forum vowed to restore the dignity of the custom in the district.
Most of the deaths are caused by dehydration, while peer pressure and ridicule have been identified as the main reasons why young boys in the province continue to flock to illegal circumcision schools.
By law, youths must be 18 years and older to be circumcised and have permission from their parents. They are also supposed to be medically checked and in possession of a letter from a traditional leader authorising their circumcision.
Matanzima called for tighter legislation which would ensure that those who were arrested for botched circumcision or initiate deaths were sentenced. — ndamasem@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos