The MEC for Health in KwaZulu-Natal, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, will receive a group of 219 initiates from circumcision school in Kokstad this Thursday.
The ritual of traditional male circumcision has significance at the individual and sociocultural levels. Indigenous African healers have promoted male circumcision as a protection against disease for centuries. Beliefs in the protective effect of male circumcision against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are fairly widespread.
The MEC has been invited by the community as guest speaker during the reintegration into society festival which follows the period of seclusion to welcome back the initiates. This process of reintegration will take two days and consists of activities such as ritual baths and varies from community to community and families.
“We are interested in ensuring that traditional circumcisers and other community members traditionally involved with the ritual of male circumcision have the potential to contribute not only to HIV prevention but also to improving aspects of young people’s sexual and reproductive health,” MEC Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo said.
The Kokstad community has very close ties with the Eastern Cape and while they support the government’s campaign, many still believe in the traditional way of undergoing the ritual. The Mayor, Councillor Sithole, of the Municipality is also one of the traditional circumcision surgeons (ingciibi) and will be present at the event.
Journalists are invited to the event as follows:
Date: Thursday, 13 January 2011
Time: 09h00
Venue : Kokstad Oval Stadium
Enquiries:
Chris Maxon
Cell: 083 447 2869
