Every year, many traditional communities across the country observe the sacred cultural practices of initiation. The traditional initiation practice is a rite of passage marking a transition into adulthood. In South Africa this important cultural journey is normally observed in June and December respectively (winter and summer initiation seasons).
In an unprecedented but necessary undertaking, traditional initiation practices remain officially suspended in South Africa in a bid to mitigate against exposure and contraction of the Covid-19 virus. Since alert level 5 to alert level 1, the country remains in consensus and united that the need to save lives is sacrosanct. As such all stakeholders understand that although the prohibition has been detrimental to this essential cultural practice, it is only in the interest of protecting initiates that initiation remains suspended.
The current nationwide Covid-19 imposed suspension of initiations is an unprecedented development as customarily this important cultural practice can only be suspended or cancelled in an event of the passing-on of a king in that particular kingdom. Therefore, in recognition of what customs dictate, this important decision to temporarily suspend initiation was not taken lightly as consideration was given to the risks that are associated with the coronavirus which unfortunately still poses the greatest threat to human life.
In recent weeks we have seen cluster spikes of infections in numerous areas across the country signalling the dreaded possibility of a resurgence. In light of this, the country has to take the necessary precautions to curtail any potential of exposing initiates to conditions that might place them in vulnerable positions in respect of contracting the Coronavirus.
As a country, we are urged to remain vigilant and do more to contribute to the fight against Covid-19 and to protect initiates from exposure to this unrelenting brutal virus. Our resolve to continue with the suspension will go a long way to set South Africa on course to defeat Covid-19 which still a major cause of deaths across the country as numbers have been rising at an alarming rate. To this end, it is deemed necessary to temporarily maintain the suspension of the initiation practices.
The process to suspend the initiation included broader consultations with various sectors across the country. To this effect, we continue urging our traditional leaders and communities to observe the suspension of initiation. We all have to educate communities about the dangers of the Coronavirus, especially as it relates to this important cultural practice.
To this end, government and all stakeholders will not tolerate bogus initiation schools and anyone who is found to be disobeying the order of initiation suspension in the wake of COVID-19. For those caught running illegal initiation schools will face the full might of the law in line with Disaster Management Act regulations.
With infection numbers increasing again, let’s work together to defeat Coronavirus.
Enquiries:
Unathi Sityata
Cell: 079 325 4795