[b]Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs[/b] Deputy Minister Obed Bapela has clarified government’s role in ensuring that – as a ‘cultural practice’ – the process of initiation/circumcision is conducted safely and with ‘integrity and dignity’. [s]Legalbrief Policy Watch[/s] reports that the newly appointed deputy minister spelled out resolutions taken at last year’s [b]Indaba on Initiation[/b] that will be implemented within the ambit of the existing legislation. Among other things, the practice of circumcision will be 'modernised' and family/parents/legal guardians encouraged to play ‘a central role’ in ensuring that the young men concerned are ‘psychologically and physically fit' before undergoing initiation.
Parents should also report illegal initiation schools and not allow ‘thugs’ to kill children in pursuit of profit. [s]Health24[/s] quotes [b]Health Minister[/b] Aaron Motsoaledi who added: ‘Please regard it as a national duty.’ The report says initiations are the primary responsibility of the [b]Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs[/b], the [b]Congress of Traditional Leaders of SA (Contralesa)[/b], and the [b]House of Traditional Leaders[/b]. The [b]Health Department’s[/b] role was to provide health screening for initiates, as many deaths were attributable to pre-existing conditions.
Four young men have already died since the start of this year’s winter initiation season. [s]Health24[/s] reports that there were three deaths in Mpumalanga and one in the Eastern Cape.
[link url=http://www.legalbrief.co.za/article.php?story=20140613052844970]Full Legalbrief Policy Watch[/link]
[link url=http://www.gov.za/speeches/view.php?sid=46060]Deputy-Minister’s media statement[/link]
[link url=http://www.health24.com/Parenting/News/Motsoaledi-warns-against-illegal-initiation-schools-20140613]Full Health24 report[/link]
[link url=http://www.health24.com/Lifestyle/Teen/News/Four-young-men-die-during-initiation-20140613]Full Health24 report[/link]