By: Nosipho Haya-Komisa
While the Eastern Cape relevant stakeholders on circumcision are preparing to continue with the summer traditional initiation season, the Eastern Cape has recorded its first death on circumcision in the OR Tambo District Municipality.
15-year-old Bathandwa Funda of Gxulu location in Libode died while in circumcision school, he is one of the boys who went to circumcision school in the OR Tambo region.
Meanwhile, the traditional leaders and other key stakeholders are calling on the government to allow the summer season of ulwaluko to go ahead, saying that they are ready for the season.
In a statement issued by the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs in the province, COGTA MEC Xolile Nqatha said some of the relevant stakeholders have indicated that they are ready for the summer traditional initiation.
“Other key stakeholders have indicated their support and readiness for the summer season committing both their human and financial resources for a safe season. We dare not disappoint them,” he said.
Nqatha further said they will submitting their plans for summer circumcision to the national government and that they will wait for the response hoping that it will pave the way.
“As the Executive Council, we have deliberated on the matter and will make our comprehensive submission detailing our plans to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 pandemic. Once we have made our submission to the national government, we hope it will pave the way towards the opening of the summer season under strict adherence to Covid-19 regulations and health protocols,” said Nqatha.
Buffalo City Metro Circumcision Committee Chairperson Andile Siko said he is very much concerned about the calls for reopening the circumcision summer season in the province.
“As a traditional surgeon I am against the reopening of the summer traditional initiation season because some of the stakeholders who said they are ready to go ahead with the tradition are not going to be directly involved with the boys,” said Siko.
Siko further said circumcision tradition has been battling with issues before the outbreak of COVID-19.
“Ulwaluko has its challenges that we have been trying to tackle even before the Covid-19 pandemic, now how are we going to deal with both COVID-19 and those challenges at the same time?” asked Siko.
The MEC has encouraged communities and parents to play their role in protecting the dignity of the customary initiation and to save the lives of the young boys.
“Given the Covid-19 pandemic, parents, families, traditional leaders and communities at large should play their roles to save lives and the dignity of isiko lokwaluka. Customary initiation is our pride and identity hence it must be protected by all, men and women alike. No child must die in both seasons of ulwaluko,” said Nqatha.
According to MEC Nqatha taking boys to the initiation school during an alert level, one of the COVID-19 regulations is illegal in the country.