Men traditional leaders angry at women for commenting on circumcision ritual
TRADITIONAL Pondoland leaders have responded with anger to on circumcision deaths and their support for the proposed introduction of male medical circumcision (MMC).
They believe the women have overstepped their mark.
Western Pondoland spokesman Mlamli Ndamase and his Eastern Pondoland counterpart Mandilive Cinani were fuming yesterday when they read the women’s views on initiation.
More than 500 initiates have died undergoing the traditional rite over the past eight years, prompting mothers to speak out.
A resolution by Imbumba Yamakhosikazi Akomkhulu (IYA) at a July 11 gathering supported the introduction of MMC in problem areas.
But AmaMpondo traditional leaders see the resolution as an insult to traditional male leaders and a plot to undermine kings, saying women were poking their noses into sacred male rites.
The women stressed they did not speak on behalf of their respective kingdoms or traditional councils, but only for IYA.
They said they understood that their resolution could put them at odds with kings, male traditional leaders and the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders who vehemently oppose MMC.
Newly elected IYA president Western Pondoland Queen MaDosini Ndamase and chairwoman Nkosikazi Nosandi Mhlauli, Eastern Pondoland Queen MaSobhuza Sigcau and AbaThembu Queen Nokwanda Dalindyebo were part of the group that commented.
IYA is a forum of queens and traditional leaders.
Mhlauli said it seemed traditional leaders were not committed since initiates continued to die under their watch every season.
Western Pondoland King Ndamase Ndamase’s spokesman, Prince Mlamli Ndamase, said the resolution rendered men useless.
He lashed out at the women – especially Queen Ndamase, King Ndamase’s wife.
“We are surprised as AmaMpondo that our king’s wife spearheads the introduction of MMC.
“Yes, we know women have a role to play in male initiation, to a certain extent. That she could even go and debate the methods to be used for initiation is totally unacceptable and MMC is a disgrace,” Mlamli said.
“Men do not publicly comment on women in labour or female initiation – that is women’s terrain.”
Mlamli said King Ndamase was angry that a picture of him had been used with the queen’s story supporting MMC.
Cinani echoed Mlamli’s views.
“Women must just mind their business for now and leave initiation to us. When we have failed, we will inform them. At the moment, everything is still under control,” Cinani said.
“They want MMC to replace our custom. Over our dead bodies.”
Cinani concluded that men were sometimes killed because they had not been circumcised traditionally and some were not accepted as men by society. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za / abongilem@dispatch.co.za
Women ‘overstepping mark’
TRADITIONAL Pondoland leaders have responded with anger to on circumcision deaths and their support for the proposed introduction of male medical circumcision (MMC).
They believe the women have overstepped their mark.
Western Pondoland spokesman Mlamli Ndamase and his Eastern Pondoland counterpart Mandilive Cinani were fuming yesterday when they read the women’s views on initiation.
More than 500 initiates have died undergoing the traditional rite over the past eight years, prompting mothers to speak out.
A resolution by Imbumba Yamakhosikazi Akomkhulu (IYA) at a July 11 gathering supported the introduction of MMC in problem areas.
But AmaMpondo traditional leaders see the resolution as an insult to traditional male leaders and a plot to undermine kings, saying women were poking their noses into sacred male rites.
The women stressed they did not speak on behalf of their respective kingdoms or traditional councils, but only for IYA.
They said they understood that their resolution could put them at odds with kings, male traditional leaders and the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders who vehemently oppose MMC.
Newly elected IYA president Western Pondoland Queen MaDosini Ndamase and chairwoman Nkosikazi Nosandi Mhlauli, Eastern Pondoland Queen MaSobhuza Sigcau and AbaThembu Queen Nokwanda Dalindyebo were part of the group that commented.
IYA is a forum of queens and traditional leaders.
Mhlauli said it seemed traditional leaders were not committed since initiates continued to die under their watch every season.
Western Pondoland King Ndamase Ndamase’s spokesman, Prince Mlamli Ndamase, said the resolution rendered men useless.
He lashed out at the women – especially Queen Ndamase, King Ndamase’s wife.
“We are surprised as AmaMpondo that our king’s wife spearheads the introduction of MMC.
“Yes, we know women have a role to play in male initiation, to a certain extent. That she could even go and debate the methods to be used for initiation is totally unacceptable and MMC is a disgrace,” Mlamli said.
“Men do not publicly comment on women in labour or female initiation – that is women’s terrain.”
Mlamli said King Ndamase was angry that a picture of him had been used with the queen’s story supporting MMC.
Cinani echoed Mlamli’s views.
“Women must just mind their business for now and leave initiation to us. When we have failed, we will inform them. At the moment, everything is still under control,” Cinani said.
“They want MMC to replace our custom. Over our dead bodies.”
Cinani concluded that men were sometimes killed because they had not been circumcised traditionally and some were not accepted as men by society. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za / abongilem@dispatch.co.za
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