Nothando Makhubela
After two months spent at 185 initiation schools in Mpumalanga, all 20,000 young boys from Ndebele returned from the mountains alive.
Their return was celebrated at a grand ceremony on Sunday at the Mathibela royal residence in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga.
The celebration coincided with the annual Ndebele Isiko Day.
Ikosi William Mahlangu, Chief Kgosi Mathupha Mokoena, and Contralesa’s traditional leaders were joined by Mpumalanga MEC for Culture, Sport and Recreation Thandi Shongwe and parents in welcoming the young boys.
The Ndebele people celebrate Isiko Day every year, with the initiation school taking place every four years.
At their initiation schools, young boys are taught values, principles, hardships, respect and accountability within their culture and tradition. It is here young boys are promoted to the status of young men after circumcision.
Shongwe praised the young boys during the welcome ceremony, encouraging them to help fight gender based violence in the country.
“You made it through the cold and harsh weather in the wilderness. While you were in the mountains, you held your own against all types of challenges.
“Now that you are alive and well, you must take the initiative and lead the campaign against all forms of abuse against women and children,” Shongwe said
President of the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) Chief Kgoshi Mathupha Mokoena said Mpumalanga has had a successful initiation season with 185 initiation schools running.
“We are pleased to see how these young boys emerged from school healthy and strong,” he said.
Mokoena also revealed that they had worked closely with doctors to ensure the young boys’ health.
“What made it a success here in Mpumalanga, particularly in Bushbuckridge, is that we had an agreement with doctors, the Ingoma forum, traditional leaders, and parents that we will work closely and monitor these young boys doing their initiation training,” he said.
“Our traditional leaders were monitoring and being sent to the mountains on a daily basis to ensure the safety of our boys.”
In the Eastern Cape, 11 initiates died during the winter circumcision season with more than a 100 treated for circumcision related complications in hospitals.
This, according to Cogta in the province, was because there were more illegal initiation schools in the province than legal ones.
