The SANAC Men’s Sector wishes to express its condemnation of the reported deaths of 27 initiates at government-registered initiation sites in the month of May in the Nkangala district towns of Evander, Middelburg, Belfast, Kwaggafontein, Siyabuswa, Verena and KwaMhlanga. For too long, the deaths of young initiates at traditional initiation schools has been ignored.
The proud heritage of an age-old African practice is being undermined by the continuous and unnecessary loss of lives of young boys in an era when there are readily available medical technologies that allow for safe circumcisions. These deaths cannot continue unchallenged in the name of culture. They are unacceptable and border on barbaric. Although issues surrounding culture remain sensitive, this does not excuse these avoidable deaths. The value of the African child is being undermined in the name of cultural practice. It is time for government, traditional leaders and parents to take a firm stand and put an end to these shameful murders.
The Men’s sector is also deeply concerned by the statements of the MEC for Health in Mpumalanga and the spokesperson of Chief Maboko. The MEC demonstrated a lack of understanding of the Constitution and of the duties and responsibilities of her role. To assert that as an MEC her hands are tied in matters related to culture – even when this includes death and exposure to danger of young men under her care is constitutionally and legally a dereliction of duty. The Men’s Sector joins many other voices that have condemned these events and welcomes the condemnation from the Presidency. Although the Men’s Sector welcomes the opening of murder cases with the South African Police Service (SAPS), the sector’s primary interest is not in the punitive measures against the perpetrators, but rather in the prevention of the senseless loss of the lives of young boys.
The Men’s Sector therefore calls for the following:
- That there be an immediate suspension of all affected initiation schools in Mpumalanga.
- That there be a comprehensive investigation into the causes the initiates’ deaths.
- That the investigation make recommendations for all government-registered initiation sites in South Africa to prevent future deaths.
- That the leadership in Mpumalanga provides the necessary guidance to ensure that this does not happen again.
- That appropriate legislation related to governance and management of traditional initiation schools in all provinces of South Africa be fast-tracked.
It is vital to clarify that the position taken by the Men’s Sector is not by any means an attack on culture or tradition. The Men’s Sector fully supports and encourages the traditional practice of initiation ceremonies, since they complement programmes implemented by the sector and play an important role in moral regeneration. The Men’s Sector is also concerned about the exposure of young men to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) through unsafe and unhygienic practices at traditional initiation schools.
The Men’s Sector extends its deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost a loved one. May their souls rest in peace. The deaths of the 27 initiates will not be in vain as we take the vow that a tragedy of this nature will never happen again. The Men’s Sector places the highest value on the youth; they are the future of our country. We are a forum that represents men from a diversity of South African cultures and with one voice we take a firm stand and say: “Not in My Name!”
Content supplied by SANAC’s Men’s Sector
Photo: Rodger Bosch, MediaClubSouthAfrica.com