Mabuyane: All Eastern Cape initiation schools closed with immediate effect

The provincial cabinet has issued a directive for the immediate suspension of initiation schools across the Eastern Cape as a step to help contain the coronavirus.

The executive council made the announcement after a special executive council meeting convened on Friday.

The two-hour meeting was specially called for the various provincial departments’ responses to the Covid-19 pandemic.

While ulwaluko is common around June, November and December, the practice does take place at other times of the year, albeit with a smaller number of initiates.

Addressing a press briefing in Bhisho, premier Oscar Mabuyane said: “We normally talk about seasons for initiation in our province.

“As we sit here, there are a number of young people who are not at school and who are going through initiation.

“As we drive around we are seeing these.

“We are saying cut that out.”

He said the executive council would lobby traditional leaders to suspend initiation schools.

The decision would be reviewed in 30 days’ time and might have implications for the June initiation season, Mabuyane said.

“We’re saying now there must be no initiation that is taking place as we speak.

“There can’t be amabhuma [initiation schools] out there because this is a serious problem.

“We can’t [afford to] have additional problems of those who are in circumcision schools.”

Mabuyane said the executive council was sending MPLs to communities to advise that funeral proceedings should be handled within the containment measurements announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday.

Cogta MEC Xolile Nqatha, responding to a question about initiation schools, said: “All those regulations presented by President Ramaphosa and Cogta minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma represent a framework that is binding to all the corners of our country.

“Cabinet has directed our legal team because the disaster management Act does provide the premier ... [with powers] to issue directives and regulations.

“The decision of the cabinet is quite clear that for now, up until 30 days, there are no initiation schools that are taking place.

“That is done in the interest of saving lives; that we are not being reckless in the face of this pandemic.”

Nqatha advised families whose children were already in the bush to postpone umgidi celebrations.

A process called ukuhlanjwa, where the immediate family perform a private ritual, should be held.

“For now, no to initiation schools until the decision is reviewed,” Nqatha said.

Health MEC Sindiswa Gomba announced the possibility of building field hospitals with isolation facilities in communities to “ease the pressure” on hospitals.

The structures would be built using plastic and materials other than bricks and mortar.

“It won’t help us to bring tents because we’re going to be spending money.

“It is better that we go for alternative technology,” she said.

DispatchLIVE asked the MEC about staff at home affairs and labour department offices turning away people on account of a lack of hand sanitisers, gloves and masks.

She said: “Masks are not about everyone wearing a mask.

“If we do that we might actually put more strain, anxiety and paranoia [on people and staff].

“What is critical is that those who feel feverish and fear infecting others should definitely wear a mask for safety purposes.

“A home affairs unit is not a sick bay where people come in to say they are sick.”

She said departments had to share expenses and provide sanitisers for their workers.

Social development MEC Siphokazi Mani-Lusithi also announced the extension of days for pay points for social grants.

“Sassa is working on a plan which is more difficult, which will see beneficiaries getting their grants through ATMs.

“Home affairs is working on a plan of decreasing the volume of people that are being serviced per day by categorising essential services.”

Earlier, Mabuyane said: “We are one of the few provinces that have not tested positive [for coronavirus cases], but we know it’s a question of time.

“We must be ready.”

soyisom@dispatch.co.za