It is that time of the year again when families are putting in their final preparations for their sons to embark on their journey of becoming a man and be placed at an initiation school.
This is one of the African practices which indicates that the boy child is matured enough now to enter the next phase of his life.
However, not every family is able to bear the cost of this exercise which at times leaves many young men unable to undergo this practice.
But the Somagwaza Institute, a non-profit organisation, based in Gugulethu, with a focus preserving and conserving tradition, has taken a massive decision to provide old and young boys an opportunity of undertaking the journey of manhood freely.
Founder and director of Somagwaza Institute, Sikelela Zokufa, who is a traditional surgeon (Igcibi) said the institute has put 41 boys, young and old, into the initiation school for this season.
He said almost every boy in this list comes from a family that is faced with absolute poverty while others do not have any family members to provide assistance with.
He said the oldest initiates are 59, two 57 year olds, 52 and 47 years of age.
When a boy reaches the age of 18, he said that boy is considered ready to go to the initiation school and be taught about the journey of manhood.
He said those who cannot go to the initiation school are treated as an outcast from the community and nothing they say could be listened to. They lose their dignity.
“A cost of one initiate, a family needs to at least have about R25000 to cover their basic needs such food, clothes and other ceremonies in between.
“Now you can imagine how much money we are spending just to cover their food needs and remember we are an organisation that does not have funding.
“We are doing this so that we could bring back the dignity of these young and old men in their families and community at large.
“In our culture as a boy you have no say in any family matters because there is tradition which you have not taken on the journey to manhood.
“You feel and treated as an outcast in many things and that kills yourself esteem and morale as a person.
“We therefore took this mammoth task of assisting these men to complete the puzzles of their lives and it’s not easy. I need help,” he said.
Mr Zokufa said they started with this initiative of helping over-age boys to go to the initiation school last year when they were approached by the community.
He adds that all these initiates that they have this year approached the institute to help them to undergo this practice and could not reject their heartfelt requests.
However, he said they need help from the community.
He said in a week they use about ten 10kgs of maize meal.
He appealed to the community to assist the institute with clothes and other essential items to give to the initiates after their welcoming ceremony.
They were looking to host their welcoming ceremony on Friday December 15 in one of the community halls in Gugulethu.
Call Mr Zokufa on 073 772 6574 if you can help.
