A teenager (17) from Gqebera is on a mission to educate young girls about Inkciyo (where young girls are advised to keep their virginity), with the aim of assisting them to stay away from teenage pregnancy and other things that could lead them to fail and lose self-esteem.
Sinovuyo Masilika is one of the young people who attended this initiative at Ntlonyana location in Elliotdale. She said this led her to learn more about virginity testing and to be proud of herself and to respect her body all the time.
“When I was asked to educate other girls, I grabbed this opportunity with both hands because I know that it could change their lives if they were to be educated about this initiative. To ensure that I fulfil the task that I was given, I have spoken with different people including young girls from my area.
“I have realised that some of the girls are afraid to join this initiative because they are afraid of being tested,” said Masilika. According to her, virginity testing had assisted her a lot because she had realised that girls could abstain until they get married.
Masilika added that it had protected her from falling pregnant and doing other things that are done by her peers.
“I appeal to all girls to join this journey because it is a way of protecting themselves so that they would not add more responsibilities to their parents. This would also help them to be always proud of themselves.”
Her mentor, Nasizo Mndende, from Elliotdale, said girls who participate in this initiative were lucky because they learned a lot. She said most of the time girls who attended Inkciyo did not drink or smoke because they were taught about the consequences of doing those things.
“Even when they go to universities, they know how to behave and what is expected of them.
“Besides preventing falling pregnant, there are lot of things that are learnt during this process,” she said.
Mndende added that Masilika has travelled all the way from Gqebera to Elliotdale just to be tested, which showed that this initiative was working.
