South African Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dr Zweli Mkhize has urged parents, traditional leaders and the medical fraternity to work together in ensuring that young men don’t fall victim of illegal initiation schools. Africa Daily Voice reports that this statement was issued after Mkhize attended a multi-stakeholder consultative meeting in Durban to discuss and find solutions to the issue.
The meeting was attended by key stakeholders including King Zwelonke Sigcau and King Ndamase Ndamase, Eastern Cape Cogta MEC Fikile Xasa, chair of the National House of Traditional Leaders (NHTL) Ikosi Sipho Mahlangu and provincial House chair Inkosi Mwelo Nonkonyana, representatives from the provincial Health Departments, police, Arts and Culture, Justice and senior traditional leaders under the umbrellas of the NHTL and the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders.
“It is not acceptable that an important tradition such as this leads to death,” said Mkhize. “A legislation, which is expected to be passed soon, will strengthen the hands of government, the community and traditional leaders to end the killings.”
The report says the minister emphasised that illegal initiation schools need stop and that traditional leaders will be held accountable should there be occurrence of death. “It is important that traditional leaders work closely with medical doctors so that deaths can be prevented,” he said.
Mkhize said initiation should take place in the presence of both traditional leaders and medical doctors, as it is an important practice to build responsible young men.
[link url="https://africandailyvoice.com/en/2019/01/16/minister-mkhize-urges-doctor-and-traditionalist-to-work-together/"]Africa Daily Voice report[/link]