Province to have say on safer initiation

NATIONAL government is pushing ahead with a policy to make initiation circumcision safer.

Eastern Cape Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) MEC Fikile Xasa said national legislation was needed to tackle the problems associated with initiation in South Africa. "Once [the draft is] received, we will make our contribution to ensure safe passage of our boys to manhood."

The Draft National Policy on the Customary Practice of Initiation in South Africa was drafted in 2011 and amended early this year. It has been sent to the nine provinces for comment.

The draft policy outlines the main concerns around initiation. These include:

• Initiation schools do not always adhere to stringent health standards;
• Traditional surgeons are not always equipped with the appropriate certifications and technical expertise;
• Schools often do not have safety measures in place;
• The appropriate officials are often not consulted prior to the initiation ceremonies;
• Whether measures are taken to ensure the closure of illegal initiation schools; and
• Whether initiates' parents are consulted before the ceremony is carried out.

Initiate deaths in the Eastern Cape increased to 35 this season, taking the toll to more than 530 in eight years.

A total of 40 initiates died during the winter season last year and 24 had penile amputations.

Xasa announced last week that his department would soon finalise the province's Traditional Initiation Bill, which would provide a regulatory framework for the custom. The department would also hold a summit on traditional initiation in September. - Mphumzi Zuzile