By: Nosipho Haya-Komisa
The long-awaited Eastern Cape winter circumcision season is expected to kick start this month. This after the provincial executive (EXCO) has approved the Covid-19 Risk.
The traditional practice was postponed early this year due to the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.
Cogta MEC Xolile Nqatha announced that from the 11 of June up to the 30 of July traditional Circumcision schools will be reopened.
Nqatha said people must observe health protocols as the country is expecting the third wave of COVID-19 pandemic this winter.
“The COVID-19 pandemic is still a reality as the country anticipates the resurgence of the third wave, hence we need to be vigilant and observe the health protocols during the winter traditional initiation season,” he said.
In preparation for the re-opening of the winter circumcision season, Nqatha said that all the key stakeholders were consulted.
“A consultation process has been undertaken with all key stakeholders through the Provincial Initiation Task Team (PITT) and the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (PICC). Both structures are established in line with the Customary Male Initiation Practice Act, No, 5 of 2016 to regulate this old-age custom,” said Nqatha.
Nqatha has urged all those who are involved in the custom to play a leading role in ensuring the safety of their children and that the government is not taking over this tradition from parents and traditional leaders.
“The Act regulates this old-age custom in the form of government interventions and not to take over the custom from parents, families and traditional leaders. For this reason, we encourage parents and families, as we always do, to occupy centre stage pre and during the winter season to ensure the safe passage of their children to manhood,” said MEC Nqatha.
The Acting Chairperson of the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders (ECHTL) Nkosi Langa Mavuso has welcomed the decision by the provincial government.
Nkosi Mavuso has called on all stakeholders to work hand in hand with the provincial government in ensuring that no deaths will occur this winter season.
“I called on parents, families, traditional leaders and communities at large to join hands with the government to make the season free of deaths and injuries.
Some mitigation measures include the following;
• Medical and COVID-19 screening for boys.
• Strict adherence to the health protocols in emabhumeni.
• Vaccination of amakhankatha and iingcibi.
• Enhance education and awareness campaigns with a special focus on parental
responsibilities through radio and social media platforms.
• Law enforcement to enforce the Covid-19 regulations and prevent illegal
amabhuma.
• Imigidi are not permitted, “he said.