MEC appeals for safety during Ingoma practice

MBOMBELA – The MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) , Mr Simon Skhosana has appealed for safety measures during the Ingoma (traditional circumcision) practice.

Several initiates are expected to attend the practice in the province soon and Skhosana says it is the responsibility of parents to ensure that their children go to registered circumcision practitioners knowledgeable about the practice.

He added that parents must ensure that they take their children to a local health facility to check if they are in a good healthy position before they allow them to attend initiation. He urged parents to always check the authenticity of an initiation school with the Traditional Leader of an area.

According to the department, they are working jointly with the Department of Health and Social Services, Traditional Leaders and law enforcement agencies to provide the support required for a safety practice. Health facilities closer to the circumcision practice are readily available to provide the necessary assistance, if the need arises.

The facilities are staffed with male nurses to do pre-screening tests for initiates before they can be recommended for circumcision. MEC Skhosana says the pre-screening process is crucial.

“Parents must take the recommendations of the male nurses very serious. Do not allow your children to do to the circumcision practice if nurses have recommended otherwise,’ he warned.

He further warned against unscrupulous Ingoma practitioners.

“Our communities must be vigilant against people whose claim to the practice is questionable. We appeal to parents not to allow their children to go to illegal Ingoma practitioners with no reputation. Furthermore, we are working with law enforcement agencies to take action against unqualified individuals,” he said.