The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Mr. Velenkosini Hlabisa, together with Eastern Cape Kings, met to collectively chart a roadmap towards safer customary initiation and the zero death target. The meeting took place yesterday, 23 January 2025, in East London, Eastern Cape.
At the heart of the meeting was seeking counsel from their Majesties as custodians of customary practices. Additionally, the engagement presented an opportunity to strengthen multidisciplary stakeholder collaboration, to solidify
an all-inclusive approach in the protection and promotion of culture.
Minister Hlabisa is leading the charge to collaboratively prepare for the upcoming winter customary initiation season. Key to the Minister’s strategy, which is anchored on meaningful stakeholder engagements, are the following pillars to safer customary initiation and achieving the zero death target:
* The institution of traditional leaders must reclaim centrality in the promotion of customary initiation.
* The mobilisation of resources to intensify monitoring and training to guarantee safe practice of the culture.
* Active involvement of parents in the entire process of customary initiation.
* An awareness campaign focussed primarily in schools to debunk falsehoods and myths associated with the customary initiation practice to prevent bullying and health risks such as dehydration.
* Early planning, registration, and the granting of approvals by Traditional Leaders for customary initiation to be performed in adherence to established processes and procedures.
* Augmentation of law enforcement.
* Exploring avenues for penile reattachment procedures to maintain the dignity of affected young initiates.
•Consideration of the introduction of customary initiation health kits for initiates.
Their Majesties committed to support efforts to prevent needless deaths and injuries owing to negligence and recklessness as well as criminality.
The meeting called for the customary practices to embrace modernity as part of the evolution of culture, particularly western and indigineous medicine.
Furthermore, the session raised serious concern around the issues of drug and substance abuse, especially alcohol at initiation schools, as well as the treatment of pre-existing morbidities.
This session with their Majesties is the first in a series of planned stakeholder engagements aimed at finding lasting solutions to preserve and safeguard this important sacred rite of passage from acts of criminality and abuse.
The high-level engagement was attended by key stakeholders and representatives, including:
* Ingwenyama Makhosoke II Mabhena
* Kumkani N.M. Ndamase
* Kumkani Siyambonga Matanzima
•Representatives of Eastern Cape Kings who could not attend
* Deputy Minister Prince Z. Burns-Ncamashe
* MEC Z. Williams (EC Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs)
* Nkosi Langa Mavuso (Deputy Chairperson, National House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders)
* Nkosi V.W. Mahlangu (Chairperson, National Initiation Oversight Committee)
* Nkosi Mpumalanga Gwadiso (Chairperson, EC House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders)
* Nkosi Gwazinamba Matanzima (Chairperson, EC Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee)
* Chairpersons and Deputy Chairpersons of Local Houses of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders in the Eastern Cape Province
* District and Local Mayors of the Eastern Cape Province
The meeting stemmed from the devastating loss of young lives during the recent summer initiation season, along with reported incidents of abuse. This tragedy underscores the urgent need for decisive action to ensure the safety of young boys transitioning into manhood.
For Media Enquiries, Contact:
Ms. Pearl Maseko-Binqose
Media Liaison Officer for the Minister of CoGTA
+27 (82) 772 1709
Mr. Legadima Leso
COGTA Head of Communications
+27 (66) 479 9904
Issued by the Ministry of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
#SaferInitiation #ZeroDeath
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