Media Statement: Western Cape Prepared For Winter Initiation Season | Western Cape Government

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Media Statement: Western Cape Prepared For Winter Initiation Season

23 May 2016

The 2016 winter initiation season officially starts at the end of May and the Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Anroux Marais notes the province’s preparedness.

Initiation is a rite of passage which illustrates cultural transition from boyhood to manhood. It is predominantly practiced by Xhosa, Sotho and Hlubi cultures in the Western Cape.

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

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport has put in place various measures in preparation for the coming winter 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 carers, practitioners and traditional surgeons focusses on core areas of health, hygiene, fire-management and sustainable use of environmental resources. The department trained 121 practitioners in First Aid during the previous season and we’re aiming to train more during the current financial year.

Initiation Framework and Protocol Document

The Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport has led the way nationally as the first provincial government department to develop an Initiation Framework and Protocol document. The document was compiled to strengthen community and governmental initiatives that improve the cultural practice of initiation, and to provide guidelines for safety and best practices.

Stakeholders’ engagement

In preparation for the upcoming winter season, the department has sensitised various stakeholders including, relevant provincial departments, municipalities and initiation forums. 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 initiation phases, reporting of challenges and abnormalities as well as the keeping of a database for practitioners.

Community participation and involvement through initiation forums

Minister Marais also encourages community participation and involvement in ensuring a safe and enabling environment for the rite of passage to be observed responsibly.  All prospective initiates must be medically screened at least two months before time; to ensure physical fitness for initiation. The department is providing consent forms to be completed and signed by prospective initiates, parents / guardians, responsible traditional carers and surgeons.  If any community member has any concerns relating to the cultural practice or would like to consult with an appropriate role-player, they can contact the relevant initiation forum chairpersons below:

 

No.

Initiation Forums

Chairpersons/ Coordinators

Contact numbers

1

Ashton Initiation Forum

(Zolani)

Mjenxane

Phinzi

Mrhwebi

0738284213/

0810912517

0710687705

2

Beaufort West Initiation Forum (kwaMandlenkosi)

Mr Thabo Foloti

Mr E Mafereka

Thamsanqa Ndluzela

072 903 8940

073 684 8494

083 387 0595

3

Botriver Initiation Forum

Mr Mthetho Sono (Nyawuza)

0726547650

4

Caledon Initiation Forum

Mr Vuyani Wellington Nikani(Nyawuza)

0739499404 /

0782275450

5

Ceres Initiation Forum

(Nduli)

Mr Mpondwana

Khalipha Ntanjana (baSotho Secretary)

Mpiyakhe

079 329 4563

071 7585928

0782528434

6

Citrusdal Initiation Forum

Mr Mmiseli Somdaka

0717416425

 

7

De Doorns Initiation Forum

Mr Motseki

Mr Xoliseka Hobe

0722109447

0837678713

8

Delft Initiation Forum

Chief Vulithuba Toto Nongwe

073 532 3804

9

Driftsands Initiation Forum

Mr Situlo Hobe (Mzangwa)

0768542397

10

George Initiation Forum

(Thembalethu)

Mr Mzwandile Gingcana

Mr Mqhokwana

078903 7378

0785552355

11

Joe Gqabi Initiation Forum

(Philippi)

Chief Nicholas Tiya

0720360522

12

Grabouw Initiation Forum

Mr David Lekena

0728831443

13

Hazeldene Initiation Forum

(Philippi)

Lindile Joko

0848687970

0878405393

14

Hermanus Initiation Forum

(Zwelihle)

Mr Thamsanqa Poni

0727396703

15

Khayamandi Initiation Forum

Mr Sipho Menziwa

Mr Swaartbooi

Mr Monaheng

072 506 1959

0728105423

083 338 0980

16

Khayelitsha Initiation Forum

Chief Thobile Mtotywa (chairperson)

0829306465

17

Knysna Initiation Forum

Mr Mlungisi Blaai

078425 4722

18

Laingville (St. Helena Bay)Initiation Forum

Chief Themba Xhalisile (chairperson)

0837132957

19

Langa (Embo) Initiation Forum

Mr C Katangana (Chairperson) Dlamini

0722326234

20

Lwandle Initiation Forum

Mr Fumbata Sidwell Majikijela (Dlamini)

Mr Oliphant

0838814485

0784061138

21

Mbekweni Initiation Forum

Mr Phathekile Hans

073 466 6654

22

Mfuleni Initiation Forum

Elliot Tyilani/

Mr Rayi

Mr Mekeni

0723980678

0786513324

0739209083

23

Mossel Bay Initiation Forum

kwaNonkqaba)

Mr Z Yantolo (Chairperson)

Mangethe

0788606367

0835068149

24

Nyanga Initiation Forum

Andile Siyo

0829530465

25

Oudtshoorn Initiation Forum (Bongolethu)

Mr Lizo Dani

Jack Mbo

079 520 0163

073 621 6733

26

Plettenberg Bay Initiation Forum

Mr Lindile Zabo

Mr Sishuba

073 636 2177

083 3737109

27

Robertson Initiation Forum

Mr Z Nyamana

 

Mr  Mankayi

Mr Skhotshi

0797159460/ 0780647213

zamikhayanyamana@gmail.com

073 018 0438

0780026025

28

Saldanha Initiation Forum

Mr Mzameko Feni

0733736586

29

Vredenburg Initiation Forum

Mr Mkhululi Sibariboyi

0782924345

30

Worcester Initiation Forum

(Zwelethemba)

Mr M. Mgxagxama

Mr Thabang Splitwana

076 584 7911

078 779 3341

Media Enquiries: 

Stacy McLean
Spokesperson for Minister Anroux Marais
Email: Stacy.McLean@westerncape.gov.za
Tel: 021 483 4426
Cell: 083 504 1171