AmaXhosa King Ahlangene Vulikhaya Sigcawu has officially launched the winter initiation season at Nqadu Great Place in Willowvale.
The official launch, attended by deputy minister of Co-Operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Prince Zolile Burns-Ncamashe, took place on May 24.
Other stakeholders in attendance included over 150 traditional leaders, the Eastern Cape House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders and the South African Youth Council.
Although the provincial government had already launched the winter initiation season prior to the launch by the AmaXhosa King, deputy minister, Burns-Ncamashe, said that it was important for traditional kingdoms to be at the forefront in traditional initiation practice.
“Today’s event is significant because traditional kingdoms are historical custodians of the sacred rite of circumcision, and are more experienced in protecting and promoting traditional customs and rituals,” said Burns-Ncamashe at the event.
During the launch, non-governmental organisation Right to Care announced it would distribute 5 000 litres of bottled water, three medical doctors for the Amathole district and four bakkies for initiation schools monitoring.
Dehydration has previously been cited as one of the major contributing factors to death of initiates at initiation schools. Right to Care says cases of dehydration and septicaemia, which often lead to hallucinations among initiates, were because of water starvation.
“AmaXhosa King, his majesty King Vulikhaya Sigcawu, expressed his concern that traditional leaders were solely burdened with ensuring the smooth passage of boys to manhood. The king is of the firm view that men should frequent initiation schools to check on initiates and not blame traditional leaders when something goes wrong,” said King Sigcawu’s spokesperson, Prince Ndabele Mtoto.
The provincial Department of Health also announced that it will make bakkies and eight medical officers available during the winter initiation season.
