DELMAS – The Southern Ndebele people in the town of Delmas including other indigenous groups in this area who value traditional education, especially the rite of passage as part of traditional community values has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
This is after the Mpumalanga MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (GOGTA), Mandla Msibi, announced the cancellation of all initiation schools in the province. This is an effort to help curb the spread of COVID-19. Initiation season which is due to start anytime from the end of April has the potential to spread the virus.
Initiation schools in Delmas serve to contribute to the disciplining, transference of cultural norms and values, the observation of tradition, and affirmation of cultural identity, of the child. The process of being initiated symbolizes ‘rebirth’ and those who survive are considered to have new identities. The Southern Ndebele people in Delmas believe that the preparation phase of the initiates during ‘thresholding and restoration’, teaches them the responsibilities, practical aspects and maintenance of one’s physical, social and spiritual survival, not only for them but also of the community as a whole.
The decades old cultural practice of initiation has been affected greatly by COVID-19, the question remains whether public health facilities in the town of Delmas will continue to offer medical male circumcision during this time. In 2003, a Bill was approved and enacted by Parliament to monitor the registration and control of these cultural initiation schools. In some areas medical practitioners have since been incorporated into the rite as part of the consultation team for the circumcision process.
MEC Mandla Msibi urged traditional leadership across the country to ensure that no initiation practices take place in their area of jurisdiction. The decision for suspension will contribute greatly to flattening the curve.
In his statement, Msibi said that, “in accordance with the president’s directive to prohibit gathering, the province of Mpumalanga will not have initiation schools until further notice. We understand some parents and community members has prepared that their children go to initiation schools this time of the year, however, we have spoken to our traditional leaders through the Ingoma forum that there should be no such a culture practice until further notice as directed by the president”.
He added that, “we understand that initiations schools or such gatherings have a potential to spread coronavirus which is totally something the county and the province don’t need”.
Attempts to get a comment from the local Health Department and Traditional Council were unsuccessful. The Chairperson of the Mpumalanga House of Traditional Leaders, INkosi Sandile Ngomane, also reiterated that a directive had already been sent to traditional councils and that anyone caught breaking the law will be prosecuted. Engagements by the COGTA will be made to ensure compliance.
