Mabaye Bephila Babuye Bephila

Today the Local Initiation Forum held an Initiation awareness campaign at iCwili Community Hall.

As we head into the winter initiation season it’s important that the community which is inclusive of women is also part of the planning, because Women form an important part of planning “asithethi zinto zobudoda nooMama sithetha siphele kulendima ifuna igalelo labo” said Mr Blom.

Going into the necessary planning this is what need to happen before the young boys go through the ritual:
🏥Clinic visit – assessment that he is ready.
👉🏾Selection of a registered Ingcibi (Traditional Surgeon)
✍️ Signed permission from parents or legal guardian specifying who ikhankatha (Traditional Nurse) will be

The following 4 pieces of paper must be signed:
✍️Clinic paper
✍️Consent form (if under 18)
✍️Ingcibi (no more that R1500)
✍️Ikhankhatha ingagqithi ku R1000

Mr Blom mentioned that The District Initiations forum has come with guidelines on regulating how initiation schools charge families somewhat exorbitant amounts. There’s a concern on how our sacred ritual is now being used a something to make money, so initiations schools should be regulated in how much they charge. Some go as far up as R10K, so the Forum was concerned on this.

Mr Blom also encouraged that initiates get access to water as well as dehydration is a major concern.

Quite Recently an Ingcibi from Qumrha was arrested after the summer initiation season and last week he was sentenced for four counts; Kidnapping, attempted murder, assault and taking the law into his own hands- he got sentenced to direct jail time of 12 years for partaking in illegal / underage initiation.

In Closing Mr Blom said “Umgidi mawungenziwa umntana engekabuyi, mlindeni uMntana abuye. Abazali siyabacela banganqabi esuthwini ukuqinisekisa uba Abantwana baRight ababethwa.”

Hon Cllr Patuluko stated that “Luxanduva lwethu ujonga umntana olapha esapha. enye ingxaki esinayo ngabafana aboluka ngoDecember then ngoJune sele esithi likhankatha nhooko makuye abantu abanolwazi aluphangeleyo.”

Cllr Pllika ADM representative encouraged that the young boys be taken to the clinic at least a month or 2 in advance in order to detect any underlying medical conditions. He also echoed the same sentiments that Men must go and visit the initiation schools to ensure everything is going well. Not necessarily juts their own children. He further appreciated the good work of the forum. He also appreciated the move to regulate the amounts and said that as the Cwili community they should agree on an amount for their specific community.

An issue by Health official Mr Kema on Joe prospective initiates were bringing in neighbours instead of their parents or legal guardians and requested that the forum provides guidance, because they too didn’t want to see themselves in the wrong side of the law and being arrested. In response Mr Blom said that the Department shouldn’t agree, they must demand the parents or legal guardians to avail themselves to avoid legal repercussions.

The Ward committee echoed the same sentiments that it was imporatnt that all men were involved and not just for their families and that families refrain from setting a date be before they know about the wellbeing of the child. He went on to relay a story of a child who suffered the when his family was not worried about his wellbeing but were more focused on their “umgidi”. The men of that Community had to intervene in order to safeguard the interests of the initiate.

Umgidi Uza mva bazali, into emayihambe phambili bubomi bomntana, asikwazi ukubhiyoza kuqala silandele ngobomi bomntana.

A community member encouraged that local elderly men please be encouraged to lead this process of going into AmaBhoma to check on the wellbeing of initiates, to strengthen the work that’s already done by the forum. Ward Cllr agreed and said they would have to meet and give direction on which areas need more attention and who would go to which area.

Ulwaluko for the winter season will officially be open on 19 June for school going children.

#mabayebephila
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