GEORGE NEWS - It is again that time of year when thousands of Xhosa and Basotho boys undertake the rite of passage to manhood.
A time when many young men are maimed or lose their lives when circumcisions go wrong.
For this reason the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) has put systems in place to ensure that no casualties are experienced in the Western Cape.
There are two seasons in the Western Cape set aside for initiations - winter initiation (uKwaluka) which takes place from May to July and the summer season from November to January.
The Western Cape initiative is led by the DCAS community structures and the initiation custodians supported by the Western Cape Initiation Interdepartmental Task Team.
To connect with communities, the DCAS has established Initiation Forums as initial points of contact and a requirement for communities who practice initiation in the province.
Before sending a boy to the mountain the following steps must be adhered to:
1. Each year there are two initiation seasons, winter (May/June/July) and summer (November/December/January). Parents are required to send their sons to initiation schools within the specified times.
2. The family must agree that the boy goes for initiation.
3. Properly prepare your son in respect of the initiation procedure and pay attention to indigenous knowledge (it is important that your son understand the reasons why he should undergo initiation).
4. Go and see the local initiation forum to hear what you need to prepare to take your son for initiation.
5. Take your son to the local clinic for a medical examination to check whether he is fit to undergo the ritual. A medical certificate indicating fitness must be issued and produced to the initiation forum and the surgeon (iNgcibi) during initiation. Please note, no circumcision procedure shall take place without this certificate.
6. Ask the respective initiation forum to recommend an experienced (iNgcibi) and the carer (iKhankatha), or introduce your preferred one to the initiation forum. You must make sure that your iNgcibi and iKhankatha meet and exchange points of clarity and procedures to each other. Medical conditions of the prospective initiate must be discussed with the iNgcibi and iKhankatha.
7. An initiate’s food must always just be enough for each meal. Avoid a surplus, which may attract flies and have other undesired consequences. Do not give money to your initiate. Alcohol, drugs and any other related substances are strictly prohibited on the initiation site.
8. The father figure in the family must visit the initiate (uMkhwetha) regularly to see to it that iKhankatha is carrying out his duties as expected and to monitor progress.
9. Be proud. support your son until the end. Don’t leave him in the hands of strangers.
Let your son leave the initiation school only when he is ready.
For further advice please contact, Mzwandile Gingcana of the George and Thembalethu Initiation forum at 078 903 7378.
'We bring you the latest George, Garden Route news'