Western Cape Prepared For Summer Initiation Season

This week marks the official start of the initiation summer season. Initiation is a cultural rite of passage practiced by Xhosas, Sothos and Hlubis in the Western Cape.  Initiation is a sacred rite of passage to mark the transition from boyhood to manhood.

Our goal is to create a safe and enabling environment for the effective rite of passage to responsible adults and citizenship.

To uphold the Western Cape’s zero fatalities and no hospitalisation incidents during the previous winter season, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport has put in place various measures in preparation for the coming summer season. These measures include:

The provision of training

The department has made provision for training aimed at developing a common understanding on issues pertaining to initiation. Training provided to traditional carers and traditional surgeons is focussed on core areas of health, hygiene, fire-management and control, and sustainable use of environmental resources. A total of 99 practitioners received First Aid training during September/October this year. Fire management training was also provided to cultural practitioners in various municipal areas including Cape Winelands and Eden districts.

The Initiation Framework and Protocol Document

The Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport has led the way nationally as we are the first provincial governmental department to have developed an Initiation Framework and Protocol document. Amongst other objectives, this document was compiled to develop and strengthen community and governmental initiatives around the cultural practice of initiation, and to provide guidelines for safety and best practices.

Initiation Forums for Stakeholder engagement

In preparation for the upcoming initiation summer season, Minister Marais has met with municipalities and various initiation forums across the province. The Western Cape is the only province to have created Initiation Forums.  These forums are mandated to be the initial point of contact for communities who observe and practice initiation. The forums include individuals and institutions that have a direct stake or impact on the practice. Civic leaders, traditional practitioners, health practitioners and ward councillors are represented in these structures. The Initiation Forums attend to matters related to pre-, actual and post-initiation phases. A database of traditional surgeons (Iingcibi), carers (Amakhankatha) and initiates being cared for, resides with the initiation forums.

Community participation and involvement

Minister Marais also encourages community participation and involvement in ensuring a safe and enabling environment for the rite of passage to be observed responsibly. If any community member has any concerns or would like to consult with an appropriate role-player, they can contact the relevant initiation forum chairpersons below: