ALEXANDRA - Maidens affirm their purity and pride through virginity testing.
Ubuhle Bemvelo maidens parade their purity.
A multicultural organisation which promotes that girls and women remain celibate so as to remain virgins, is hopeful that its work protects and promotes confidence, health and pride.
This in addition to preventing HIV infections, teenage pregnancies, risks from botched backyard abortions, unwanted motherhood and loss of education, and a better life.
Ubuhle Bemvelo maidens at a past Reed Dance in Nongoma, KwaZulu-Natal.
This was said by maidens’ matron Nothobile Gwabani, director Emmanuel Ngubo, and maiden Ayanda Mthembu of the registered NPO Ubuhle Bemvelo Organisation (which means beauty of culture) at a recent monthly parade of its 54 maidens in Alexandra.
Currently, there are 350 maidens who participate in the programme which over one thousand have attended since the organisation’s inception in 2013.
The participants from various cultural groups showed their pride in their celibacy in a process the organisation hopes will encourage others to join for their own self-preservation against an early sexual debut and the attendant risks.
Ubuhle Bemvelo maiden’s dance of purity supported by a tourist and matrons.
Led by Ngubo, the group whose virginity had been checked by Gwabani, paraded around the township to affirm their status. Sadly, some of the girls succumbed and were excluded from the parade.
Ngubo said the initiative is multicultural, multi-racial, and promotes family values, helps the girls feel proud of themselves, and protects them from sexual exploitation in preparation for marriage at the right time, age and when desired by them.
“Over 1 000 maidens, between 13 years to 28 and older, have gone through the process with some moving on to further education and professions armed with self-pride and in readiness for marriage,” said Gwabani.
“The testing is challenging but [worth it] for the maidens.” She added that makes it easier for the girls if their parents support them and help them resist temptation at home.
Ubuhle Bemvelo maidens at the Reed Dance in Nongoma, KwaZulu-Natal.
“They are tested privately and a successful purity result makes them proud and allows them to parade around and be eligible for camps and the annual four-day Reed Dance held in Nongoma, KwaZulu-Natal every first week of September.”
She said the participants also developed self-discipline, and she urged schools that face a high pregnancy rate, to encourage its girls to attend the programme.
Schoolgirl Ayanda Mthembu (18) said the test encouraged self-respect and helped the girls resist sexual temptation, which has ruined many lives through pregnancy and dropping out of school. “Schools can benefit by adopting the programme to deal with regrettable pregnancies of schoolgirls. Some girls are keen to join and a teacher has pleaded with one girl to join the programme,” she said.
Ubuhle Bemvelo maidens parade after virginity testing.
A joining fee of R120 is required to be a member, with additional costs for travel and feeding at camps and also for the uniform. Ngubo said the Zulu King supported the programme financially in KwaZulu-Natal and urged Gauteng to also support the NPO as it promoted cultural values and health, and encouraged girls to remain in school.
Details: Emmanuel Ngubo 079 623 9970.
If you have been in the programme tell us how it has helped you on Whats App 079 439 5345.
