While many call for the abolishment of virginity testing across the world, more than 12000 girls in the OR Tambo district are part of a growing movement to be tested.
Organisations, including NGO Molo Songololo, have called for the practice to be abolished saying it infringes on the rights of children.
On hearing the whistle other women waiting outside her home started ululating and running to fetch the bride-to-be. They all began joyous singing. Someone unfamiliar with the practice would have thought it was an initiation ceremony (Umgidi).
After the wedding ceremony, Mfisi-Joja was presented with a certificate for passing the final virginity test.
“If I had not married, I would have died a virgin. This is what I had decided a long time ago,” she said.
Another member of Inkciyo, 20-year-old Puleng Naile, who is based in Pretoria, joined the movement nine years ago.
“I joined in 2006 when I was doing Grade 6. When you first join, there are all these myths surrounding the custom, that they use spoons and all sorts of things. Despite those myths I wanted to join. I was inspired by one of my mother’s students at Unisa. She influenced me and others to join. It was a matter of choice. We were never forced at all.”
Naile said Inkciyo is not just about remaining a virgin. It is a lifestyle choice and influences all aspects of a young person’s life.
“When you join you meet people who speak the same language. You are not ashamed because you are with people who have the same outlook on life – you fit in, you become one. We also have women who care for us and love us. I was happy to join a group of young women who are celebrating life, leading a goal-focused lifestyle,” she said. — abongilem@dispatch.co.za
Girls choose to stay pure
Organisations, including NGO Molo Songololo, have called for the practice to be abolished saying it infringes on the rights of children.
On hearing the whistle other women waiting outside her home started ululating and running to fetch the bride-to-be. They all began joyous singing. Someone unfamiliar with the practice would have thought it was an initiation ceremony (Umgidi).
After the wedding ceremony, Mfisi-Joja was presented with a certificate for passing the final virginity test.
“If I had not married, I would have died a virgin. This is what I had decided a long time ago,” she said.
Another member of Inkciyo, 20-year-old Puleng Naile, who is based in Pretoria, joined the movement nine years ago.
“I joined in 2006 when I was doing Grade 6. When you first join, there are all these myths surrounding the custom, that they use spoons and all sorts of things. Despite those myths I wanted to join. I was inspired by one of my mother’s students at Unisa. She influenced me and others to join. It was a matter of choice. We were never forced at all.”
Naile said Inkciyo is not just about remaining a virgin. It is a lifestyle choice and influences all aspects of a young person’s life.
“When you join you meet people who speak the same language. You are not ashamed because you are with people who have the same outlook on life – you fit in, you become one. We also have women who care for us and love us. I was happy to join a group of young women who are celebrating life, leading a goal-focused lifestyle,” she said. — abongilem@dispatch.co.za
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