Sustainable and Safe Initiation Practices

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport aims to ensure safe and hygienic initiation practices in the Western Cape by educating initiates and their parents. An initiation skills development programme was hosted by the department in Saldanha Bay on Thursday, 4 October 2012, as part of the Saldanha Bay Arts Week.

About 24 members from the communities of Vredenburg and Saldanha Bay participated in the programme, which entailed various topics and discussions around counselling, medical screening and the distribution of medical packs. Initiation assessments were also conducted.

Mr Thandwa Ntshona of the Directorate: Arts and Culture says that the aim of the programme is to support members of the public involved in traditional initiation practices. “Communities are facing numerous challenges with regards to the initiation process. This programme guided them by supporting safe and sustainable activities and also contributed to responsible citizenship,” he said.

Working together with communities, the department is contributing to safe ubudoda (manhood) rites of passage on the West Coast and in other regions of the province.