The customary practice in South Africa, which is a rite of passage from boyhood to manhood, is often riddled with controversy between those calling for it to be completely scrapped in favour of circumcision at hospitals and staunch traditionalists demanding its continued preservation.
The tradition of young men leaving their homes to go to initiation schools has not only been a source of pride for families and loved ones but has also brought misery and the loss of lives to some families across our country.
There is certainly concern as the winter initiation season kicks off, with traditional leaders, communities and government leaders worried about rogue elements ready to take advantage of unsuspecting families.
As the government of Mpumalanga, we will continue to reiterate that there will be zero tolerance for such elements; the full might of the law will be applied because we do not want to see yet another loss of life.
As we acknowledge and respect the intersection of tradition and modernity when it comes to initiations, we should not be alarmed by public scrutiny of how some criminals have sought to exploit a tradition that has been the hallmark of several cultures in SA.
