Former MEC Goqwana among those whose sons have made safe transition from boys to men.
THE sleepy village of Cingco, in Tsolo was abuzz with joyous ululation, singing and dancing as the community celebrated the homecoming of former health MEC Dr Bevan Goqwana’s son and four others from initiation school.
Goqwana’s son Bevan jnr, his friends – Bahle and Bulelani Faye, as well as Iviwe Mzantsi – and relative Sinethemba Mphikeleli came back healthy and strong from the mountains on Wednesday.
Before they left, they were boys with no real knowledge of the initiation but when they emerged from the bush they were confident young men who had shed their boyish tendencies.
Goqwana was all smiles as he lead the young men home and his wife and mother of four, Bulelwa, proclaimed to be the happiest woman in the village. She ululated and began a traditional dance. The other women joined in song, welcoming the young men home.
Goqwana, who is the chairman of parliament’s health portfolio committee, showed his stick-fighting skills by taking on a youngster in mock fighting.
The other men filled the air with their singing of the traditional initiation home-coming song, Somagwaza.
“This is the happiest moment for me,” Bulelwa said. “Seeing my little junior and his group come back home in dignity is amazing. I had mixed reactions when he went to the bush due to the negative publicity and all the scary things that happen at initiation schools.
“Since he left for initiation, I have had sleepless nights not knowing what might happen to my son. But I prayed hard to God to keep my son and his friends safe so they could come back home alive. Today I give thanks to the Almighty for keeping them safe. It is the day for all of us to rejoice, not only for my son but for all five young men.”
She said her son looked confident, happy, healthy and in joyous mood.
Bevan jnr is the last born child of the Goqwanas and their second son. Both have undergone traditional initiation.
Dr Goqwana said he was overjoyed that his last born had undergone the rite in line with the custom of his clan and society. This age old rite is one of the only indigenous cultures that we still embrace. It needs to be preserved and passed from one generation to the next. Circumcision is not just for health purposes. Initiation creates a man out of a boy.”
Bevan jnr was over the moon to be back home and spoke proudly of his time in initiation school.
“This is a unique place. There is no place like it. This is like a factory that manufactures durability. This prepares you to bear the pains and challenges of life.
“Treating people with respect, learning to solve problems and tolerance are just some of the lessons learnt there. It really made me realise who I am and who my people are. It was a lovely moment.”
Goqwana, his wife and their son said the full participation of parents and vigilance from society were crucial for safe initiation.
They plan a bigger celebration, umgidi, for Bevan jnr in April.
Despite their happiness, they were concerned for those who had lost loved ones in initiation schools after they learnt 25 initiates had died recently. —
Cingco celebrates son’s return from ‘factory that manufactures durability’
THE sleepy village of Cingco, in Tsolo was abuzz with joyous ululation, singing and dancing as the community celebrated the homecoming of former health MEC Dr Bevan Goqwana’s son and four others from initiation school.
Goqwana’s son Bevan jnr, his friends – Bahle and Bulelani Faye, as well as Iviwe Mzantsi – and relative Sinethemba Mphikeleli came back healthy and strong from the mountains on Wednesday.
Before they left, they were boys with no real knowledge of the initiation but when they emerged from the bush they were confident young men who had shed their boyish tendencies.
Goqwana was all smiles as he lead the young men home and his wife and mother of four, Bulelwa, proclaimed to be the happiest woman in the village. She ululated and began a traditional dance. The other women joined in song, welcoming the young men home.
Goqwana, who is the chairman of parliament’s health portfolio committee, showed his stick-fighting skills by taking on a youngster in mock fighting.
The other men filled the air with their singing of the traditional initiation home-coming song, Somagwaza.
“This is the happiest moment for me,” Bulelwa said. “Seeing my little junior and his group come back home in dignity is amazing. I had mixed reactions when he went to the bush due to the negative publicity and all the scary things that happen at initiation schools.
“Since he left for initiation, I have had sleepless nights not knowing what might happen to my son. But I prayed hard to God to keep my son and his friends safe so they could come back home alive. Today I give thanks to the Almighty for keeping them safe. It is the day for all of us to rejoice, not only for my son but for all five young men.”
She said her son looked confident, happy, healthy and in joyous mood.
Bevan jnr is the last born child of the Goqwanas and their second son. Both have undergone traditional initiation.
Dr Goqwana said he was overjoyed that his last born had undergone the rite in line with the custom of his clan and society. This age old rite is one of the only indigenous cultures that we still embrace. It needs to be preserved and passed from one generation to the next. Circumcision is not just for health purposes. Initiation creates a man out of a boy.”
Bevan jnr was over the moon to be back home and spoke proudly of his time in initiation school.
“This is a unique place. There is no place like it. This is like a factory that manufactures durability. This prepares you to bear the pains and challenges of life.
“Treating people with respect, learning to solve problems and tolerance are just some of the lessons learnt there. It really made me realise who I am and who my people are. It was a lovely moment.”
Goqwana, his wife and their son said the full participation of parents and vigilance from society were crucial for safe initiation.
They plan a bigger celebration, umgidi, for Bevan jnr in April.
Despite their happiness, they were concerned for those who had lost loved ones in initiation schools after they learnt 25 initiates had died recently. —
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