First-Aid Training for Traditional Surgeons and Initiation Careers

The Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) is supporting safer initiation by providing advanced first aid training to traditional surgeons and initiation carers. The first 43 surgeons and carers received accredited training in Cape Town from 10–12 June 2015, and a similar training event will be held in Oudtshoorn from 17–19 June.

With the skills that they are learning, surgeons and carers will be better equipped to deal with the health aspects of initiation, making the young men undergoing this important rite of passage safer. Thandwa Ntshona of DCAS says that participants will be able apply what they have learned about first aid in a wide variety of contexts.

Aubrey Sikundla, coordinator of the Mbekweni Initiation Forum, said the training is equipping surgeons and carers with the necessary skills to deal with any eventuality. “This training is essential. Surgeons and carers will now be able to provide basic medical attention during initiation,” he said.

DCAS is working with communities that take pride in their culture and want young men undergoing traditional male initiation to be safe, BETTER TOGETHER.