The bond between two East London teens is set to deepen when they undergo the traditional rite of passage into manhood.
Grade 11 Hudson Park High pupil Estiaan Swanepoel, who is Afrikaans, and friend Ndibulele Sobhoyisi made a commitment five years ago to embrace one other’s cultures with tolerance and respect. The friends, both 18, live in Gonubie. They join 20000 initiates undergoing initiation this winter.
Ndibulele’s father Zwelinzima took them to respected traditional surgeon Phinda Malova’s initiation school in Centane. They were circumcised last Saturday.
Estiaan said he was afraid at first, but something inside said everything would be fine. “I now feel like man, although the process is still long. We’ve been learning how a man should behave and be a responsible person.”
The Daily Dispatch visited them in Centane, where 20 initiates were circumcised.
“At first my mother did not want me to come. She believed it would be seen as disrespectful to intrude in a culture that is not mine. “But I made her understand that I have known my friend so long, I want to be a man like him.”
His mother Ester Swanepeol said it was a pity Estiaan’s father could not witness his son going to the mountain. He died six years ago.
“At first I thought that he was joking when he said that he wanted to go to the bush with his friend.
“I gave him my blessing. Like any mother I’m worried, though I know he is in good hands. I will be relieved when he is back,” she said.
Zwelinzima Sobhoyisi said he regarded Estiaan as his own son.
“They call each other brother and Estiaan stays with us when his mother is away. Ndibulele has also learnt some Afrikaans culture. They are like twins.”
Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders deputy chairman Prince Zolile Burns-Ncamashe wished Estiaan well.
“It is an interesting phenomenon when a non-traditionalist chooses to undergo a traditional rite. q One question is whose customary clan he is following. Initiation is not about the surgical procedure, it is a process embedded in a custom.” — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
‘Twin brothers’ become men together
Grade 11 Hudson Park High pupil Estiaan Swanepoel, who is Afrikaans, and friend Ndibulele Sobhoyisi made a commitment five years ago to embrace one other’s cultures with tolerance and respect. The friends, both 18, live in Gonubie. They join 20000 initiates undergoing initiation this winter.
Ndibulele’s father Zwelinzima took them to respected traditional surgeon Phinda Malova’s initiation school in Centane. They were circumcised last Saturday.
Estiaan said he was afraid at first, but something inside said everything would be fine. “I now feel like man, although the process is still long. We’ve been learning how a man should behave and be a responsible person.”
The Daily Dispatch visited them in Centane, where 20 initiates were circumcised.
“At first my mother did not want me to come. She believed it would be seen as disrespectful to intrude in a culture that is not mine. “But I made her understand that I have known my friend so long, I want to be a man like him.”
His mother Ester Swanepeol said it was a pity Estiaan’s father could not witness his son going to the mountain. He died six years ago.
“At first I thought that he was joking when he said that he wanted to go to the bush with his friend.
“I gave him my blessing. Like any mother I’m worried, though I know he is in good hands. I will be relieved when he is back,” she said.
Zwelinzima Sobhoyisi said he regarded Estiaan as his own son.
“They call each other brother and Estiaan stays with us when his mother is away. Ndibulele has also learnt some Afrikaans culture. They are like twins.”
Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders deputy chairman Prince Zolile Burns-Ncamashe wished Estiaan well.
“It is an interesting phenomenon when a non-traditionalist chooses to undergo a traditional rite. q One question is whose customary clan he is following. Initiation is not about the surgical procedure, it is a process embedded in a custom.” — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
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