Although traditional initiations are institutions to be celebrated and protected as a cultural heritage, they are often associated with controversy, harm and, in extreme cases, death.
There are many things to be considered if South Africans wish to regard initiations as “culturally sound” or respected in general.
Initiations cause shocking headlines
Netwerk24 reported on the deaths of 11 boys during this year’s winter initiations in the Eastern Cape.
“Six deaths were recorded in the Mhlontlo Municipality, followed by two in the King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality, two in Ingquza Hill Municipality and one in Mdantsane in the Buffalo City Metro.
“Another 119 boys were hospitalised for initiation-related complications.”
Local initiations
In the last year alone there was at least one initiation-related ceremony that stirred negative reactions among Paarlites in the Vrykyk area in December.
The traditional festivities and circumcision ceremony of a young Xhosa man were tainted by complaints from affected residents in Treurnicht Street, as previously reported by Paarl Post.
Fellow neighbours of the former Paarl-police station commander, Major General Mzwandile Tiyo, accused him of not requesting sufficient permission to hold a three-day ceremonial initiation for his son in the neighbourhood, which he falsely claimed to have done in a notice letter that was distributed in the area.
This was followed by rumours that there had been plans to slaughter a cow on Tiyo’s residential property. Additionally, the father informed his neighbours of planned marches to be held in the streets of Paarl.
However, neither the Drakenstein Municipality nor Paarl police had been approached for necessary permission or permits.
Various complaints were also received last year from residents of Bodal Road, who expressed their concern about an initiation camp that had been set up on a vacant piece of land near this road.
During the summer initiation season many informal structures had been set up there and the many cars parked illegally were posing a danger to road users.
Concerns were also expressed about hordes of people present there without any ablution facilities.
The land in question belongs to the Drakenstein Municipality.
Government promotes safe initiations
- Paarl Post
Executive Director of Community Services Gerald Esau said there are two traditional initiation seasons in a given year.
“The first season takes place from June to August, while the other starts in November through to January,” he said.
Esau said DM recognises initiation camps that are hosted on municipal terrain.
“The municipality held meetings with the Boland Mbekweni Initiation Commission, where various elements were discussed.
“With help and management from Provincial Government, we all work together to ensure there is sufficient water supply and medical emergency resources on these camp terrains to promote safe ceremonies.”
According to its website the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) recognises the importance of cultural traditional practices.
“As a cultural rite of passage, male initiation illustrates the transition from boyhood to manhood,” it reads. “There are two seasons in the Western Cape for this noble tradition. Each year the winter initiation takes place from May to July and the summer season is from November to January.”
The department’s support is guided by the Initiation Framework and Protocol, which encourages:. Community participation on issues pertaining to initiation. Greater community awareness. Increased awareness of health concerns. Cooperation with health institutions. The establishment of practitioner structures.. Standardisation of the practice. Skilled traditional practitioners and carers. Bringing the practice in line with modern trends. Seasonal job creation opportunities in line with the Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP). Secure and serviced initiation sites. Mainstreaming of the practice.
“Together, we’re creating a safe and enabling environment for the effective rite of passage for young men during the customary initiation season,” the DCAS website says.
For more information on ceremonial parameters, or when organising initiation celebrations, Esau invites people to contact Redeemer Njovu on 021 807 4556 or mail Redeemer.Njovu@drakenstein.gov.za.
