DCAS working to forge new norm for safe initiation once nationally permitted | Western Cape Government

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DCAS working to forge new norm for safe initiation once nationally permitted

21 January 2021
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While customary initiation in the Western Cape is still suspended under the adjusted Alert Level 3 regulations (promulgated under the Disaster Management Act), the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) has proactively been engaging with traditional leaders in preparation and to ensure readiness for when the sacred rite of passage in the Western Cape is given the green light by the national government.

The main aim of the ongoing engagements since December 2020 was to consultatively share perspectives on the roadmap leading to the finalization of the draft COVID-19 initiation sites Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and protocols as provided by traditional leaders and compiled by the DCAS, within the relevant legislative framework and mandatory health protocols.     

Considering the COVID-19 situation during this period, other initiatives of the Department: such as the training of initiation stakeholders and as consultations are still currently underway, the following have been proposed:

Date  Activity Number of Cultural Practioners Breakdown of particpants 
16/02/2021 Session with Nguni traditional leaders and Somagwaza Institute to discuss in detail the contents of the Draft SOP’s.
18/02/2021 Province-wide session of relevant stakeholders to elicit inputs of all stakeholders
06/03/2021 Training: Central Karoo & Garden Route 45 Traditional surgeons / carers / Members of Initiation Forums 
07/03/2021 Training: Central Karoo & Garden Route 45 Traditional surgeons / carers / Members of Initiation Forums 
13/03/2021 Training: Cape Metro 40 Traditional surgeons / carers / Members of Initiation Forums 
14/03/2021 Training: Cape Metro 40 Traditional surgeons / carers / Members of Initiation Forums 
20/03/2021 Training: Cape Winelands 45 Traditional surgeons / carers / Members of Initiation Forums 
21/03/2021 Training: Cape Winelands 45 Traditional surgeons / carers / Members of Initiation Forums 
27/03/2021 Training: Overberg & West Coast 30 Traditional surgeons / carers / Members of Initiation Forums 
28/03/2021 Training: Overberg & West Coast 30 Traditional surgeons / carers / Members of Initiation Forums 

 

The above is based on regulations as they currently stand and is subject to change in the event that additional regulations come into fruition, e.g. hotspot regulations, or the current rate of infection persists for longer.

As we have been called to avoid all non-essential gatherings, particularly those which are indoors, we have proposed a hybrid meeting schedule so that those who can participate virtually are encouraged to do so in order to limit contact so that we stop the spread and can safely move forward.

Minister Anroux Marais said, “It is vitally important to incorporate our traditional leaders’ inputs into forging our new norm for the practice of initiation in the province. We wholeheartedly thank them for their valuable contribution to the draft protocols and SOPs needed to safely move forward in the sector, once given the national green light. We look forward to continuing our consultative engagements with traditional leaders and stakeholders to ensure an effective rite of passage practice and an enabling environment once it is safe to do so”.