New legal moves to make rite safer

“Once received , we will make our contribution to ensure safe passage of our boys to manhood,” said Eastern Cape co-operative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta) MEC Fikile Xasa.

He said national legislation or regulations were needed to tackle the problems associated with initiation.

Xasa was commenting on the national Cogta department’s recent policy on initiation.

The policy, formally known as the Draft National Policy on the Customary Practice of Initiation in South Africa, was drafted in 2011 and amended earlier this year.

It has been sent to the nine provinces for comments.

The draft policy outlines the main concerns around initiation, including:

• Schools where initiates die do not always adhere to stringent quality health standards;
• Traditional surgeons are not always equipped with the appropriate certifications and technical expertise;
• Schools often do not have safety measures in place;
• The appropriate officials are often not consulted prior to the initiation ceremonies;
• Whether there have been any measures taken in the past to ensure the closure of operational illegal initiation schools; and
• Whether the parents of the initiates are consulted before the ceremony is carried out.

Initiate deaths in the Eastern Cape increased to 35 this season, taking the toll to more than 530 in eight years.

A total of 40 initiates died during the 2013 winter season and 24 had penile amputations.

Xasa last week announced that his department will soon finalise the province’s Traditional Initiation Bill.

“The bill seeks to put in place a regulatory framework to eliminate the commercialisation of the custom and illegal traditional initiation schools. The bill will be finalised before the end of September.”

He further announced that his department would also hold a summit on traditional initiation in September. — mphumziz@dispatch.co.za