MEC Fikile Xasa conducts awareness campaign on Customary Male Initiation Practice Act, 3-4 May

COGTA MEC Fikile Xasa will visit the Nyandeni Great Place on Thursday, 4 May 2017 on a roadshow to raise public awareness about the importance of the Customary Male Initiation Practice Act House of Traditional Leaders and what it seeks to achieve. The Act was approved into law by the EC Premier Phumulo Masualle for implementation across the Province. MEC Xasa will be joined by the Chairperson of the EC House of Traditional Leaders Nkosi Ngangomhlaba Matanzima.

The rollout campaign is in preparation for the June Winter season. Already the Provincial Initiation Task Team (PITT) has met with key stakeholders on the Act including media houses, traditional leaders, members of the South African Police Services (SAPS), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and municipalities.

The main objectives of the Act are to provide for the following;

• For the protection of life, the prevention of injuries and all forms of abuse experienced by initiates before, during and after the customary practice of male initiation;
• for traditional leadership to take primary responsibility for the practice of male initiation within their areas of jurisdiction, in partnership with the Provincial government and all the other stakeholders;
• ensure that initiation practice is not exploited as a commercial enterprise used purely for personal enrichment; and
• ensure that the teachings and rituals that are part of male initiation are aimed at character building to prepare the young for adulthood.

MEC Xasa had this to say about the Act, “The objectives of this Act are to protect life, prevent injuries and all forms of both physical and mental abuse experienced by initiates before, during and after the initiation process. The government in partnership with traditional leadership will coordinate, monitor and evaluate all activities relating to practice of initiation and provide sufficient resources for the safe passage of boys to manhood.”

He said it was important to raise public and stakeholder awareness about the provisions and contents of the Act so that people are aware of the consequences that go with none compliance.

“Traditional leaders are the custodians of customs and culture hence they must ensure the protection of the customary male initiation practice within the areas of jurisdiction of a traditional council. They must take primary responsibility for the practice of male initiation within their areas of jurisdiction, in partnership with the provincial government and all the other stakeholders,” said MEC Xasa.

In a case where traditional leaders, parents, traditional surgeons or nurses who are found to have been willingly and knowingly failed to comply with the provisions of the Act, an Investigation Committee will be established to look into the allegations. In the case of a traditional surgeon an act of misconduct, the department of Health will withdraw permission to perform circumcision. End.

The following municipalities are being targeted for the roll out of the Act;

For more information and enquiry on the visits, please contact Mr Welile Jack on 82 559 6183.

Enquires:
Mr Mamnkeli Ngam
Cell: 071 685 7981