Circumcision will never be the same again in the village of Ntsila outside Mthatha after the first women-run initiation school was officially opened.
The school is being run by five women: one who is a trained ingcibi (traditional surgeon), two who work as amakhankatha (traditional nurses) and two others who recruit young men to go to the school.
While many traditional initiation schools across the country are run by men, the one in Ntsila village is one of a kind.
Retired nurse NoPasika Mntwakekho, who is a mother of three teenage boys and founder of the school, said the women would ensure that the young men are well taken care of.
The school’s tag line is “Sinani ngexesha lobunzima” (we are there to support you during hard times).
The aim is to teach young boys how to become “real men”.
“The reason why we chose this was because these young men go through immense training. After two weeks in the bush, we train them how to cook, wash dishes and clean a house.
“This may be looked down upon by some people but these are things that make up a real man,” added Mntwakekho.
Men in the village of Ntsila have welcomed the move, saying it will revolutionise the rite of passage.
Community leader Mninawa Dzayi said: “It is long overdue. Women play an integral part in the growth of our young men. Why not include them in this important part of their lives.”
Some of the perks include full-course meals, mattresses and game rooms. The initiates will also be able to phone their mothers two days a week.
They will also participate in the school’s Facebook and Twitter profiles where they will be allowed to chat with other initiates in East London, sharing their challenges as young men.
Contralesa’s acting Eastern Cape secretary Mwelo Nonkonyana said the constitutional court has passed a case where women said they should be ingcibi. He said Contralesa was shocked by this and will organise a march to the president.
Dr Alfred Suess, the consultant for the school, said the entire process will be televised in the UK.
Parents wanting to sign up their sons can email pasika@pieintheskymail.com for more information.
Women teach initiates how to cook and do chores
The school is being run by five women: one who is a trained ingcibi (traditional surgeon), two who work as amakhankatha (traditional nurses) and two others who recruit young men to go to the school.
While many traditional initiation schools across the country are run by men, the one in Ntsila village is one of a kind.
Retired nurse NoPasika Mntwakekho, who is a mother of three teenage boys and founder of the school, said the women would ensure that the young men are well taken care of.
The school’s tag line is “Sinani ngexesha lobunzima” (we are there to support you during hard times).
The aim is to teach young boys how to become “real men”.
“The reason why we chose this was because these young men go through immense training. After two weeks in the bush, we train them how to cook, wash dishes and clean a house.
“This may be looked down upon by some people but these are things that make up a real man,” added Mntwakekho.
Men in the village of Ntsila have welcomed the move, saying it will revolutionise the rite of passage.
Community leader Mninawa Dzayi said: “It is long overdue. Women play an integral part in the growth of our young men. Why not include them in this important part of their lives.”
Some of the perks include full-course meals, mattresses and game rooms. The initiates will also be able to phone their mothers two days a week.
They will also participate in the school’s Facebook and Twitter profiles where they will be allowed to chat with other initiates in East London, sharing their challenges as young men.
Contralesa’s acting Eastern Cape secretary Mwelo Nonkonyana said the constitutional court has passed a case where women said they should be ingcibi. He said Contralesa was shocked by this and will organise a march to the president.
Dr Alfred Suess, the consultant for the school, said the entire process will be televised in the UK.
Parents wanting to sign up their sons can email pasika@pieintheskymail.com for more information.
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