THE national government in conjunction with traditional leaders yesterday announced an initiation hotline to report irregularities.
The toll-free number, 0800-11-11-66 is already operational but was announced publicly for the first time yesterday by Chief Sipho Mahlangu, national chairman of the National Initiation Task Team, and Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders chairman, Chief Ngangomhlaba Matanzima at KwaBhaca (Mount Frere).
The Mzimvubu municipality traditional initiation forum was inaugurated during the event.
Mahlangu said: “Eastern Cape always have more than 95% of deaths and injuries in the country every season.
This hotline is one of the tools to curb deaths and injuries which have dented the important rite which we are all proud of.”
He said for the pilot stages the hotline was being run as a national initiative by the Cooperative and Traditional Affairs’ Department’s disaster management unit.
“But we are going to cascade it down to provinces, districts and locals.”
Mahlangu announced that Cogta had also established a dedicated traditional initiation unit with personnel who would be operational throughout the year and not seasonally.
“The beautiful and sacred rite that has been there from time immemorial – and we are proud of it – is now being turned into seasons to count the number of fatalities,” Matanzima said.
“I beg you let us all work together and turn things around and make the boy to manhood passage an enjoyable experience to be celebrated by all.”
Mahlangu and Matanzima warned traditional leaders and communities that this winter would be the coldest seen in the past 30 years.
Mahlangu said his comments last week about the initiation season were misunderstood.
“I was not saying initiation must be postponed, but said that those who can must do so because this will be the coldest winter as we have been warned by disaster management.
“This season parents must ensure that initiates in the mountain are kept warm. Initiation lodges must be built properly and warm.
“There must be enough firewood and enough blankets for the initiates to be kept warm at the initiation schools,” he added. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
New hotline to curb initiation deaths
The toll-free number, 0800-11-11-66 is already operational but was announced publicly for the first time yesterday by Chief Sipho Mahlangu, national chairman of the National Initiation Task Team, and Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders chairman, Chief Ngangomhlaba Matanzima at KwaBhaca (Mount Frere).
The Mzimvubu municipality traditional initiation forum was inaugurated during the event.
Mahlangu said: “Eastern Cape always have more than 95% of deaths and injuries in the country every season.
This hotline is one of the tools to curb deaths and injuries which have dented the important rite which we are all proud of.”
He said for the pilot stages the hotline was being run as a national initiative by the Cooperative and Traditional Affairs’ Department’s disaster management unit.
“But we are going to cascade it down to provinces, districts and locals.”
Mahlangu announced that Cogta had also established a dedicated traditional initiation unit with personnel who would be operational throughout the year and not seasonally.
“The beautiful and sacred rite that has been there from time immemorial – and we are proud of it – is now being turned into seasons to count the number of fatalities,” Matanzima said.
“I beg you let us all work together and turn things around and make the boy to manhood passage an enjoyable experience to be celebrated by all.”
Mahlangu and Matanzima warned traditional leaders and communities that this winter would be the coldest seen in the past 30 years.
Mahlangu said his comments last week about the initiation season were misunderstood.
“I was not saying initiation must be postponed, but said that those who can must do so because this will be the coldest winter as we have been warned by disaster management.
“This season parents must ensure that initiates in the mountain are kept warm. Initiation lodges must be built properly and warm.
“There must be enough firewood and enough blankets for the initiates to be kept warm at the initiation schools,” he added. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos