Lowveld initiation schools in the second phase and incident-free

Initiation schools (ingoma) in the Lowveld region have reached the second phase without any incidents, and the initiates are healthy and hearty.

The second phase, called ‘Go-Khubela’ or ‘Mufetolelo’, is a special occasion during which male initiates will have a chance to meet their mothers from a distance and to dance for them to prove they are still alive and healthy.

Meanwhile, during the ceremony, the men also take part in a game called Matuba or Kgati, very popular in Hazyview and Bushbuckridge, in which a staff and a shield are used in close combat.
One of the school owners in Bushbuckridge, Member Mokoena, told Hazyview Herald that the area is well known for hosting safe and incident-free ingomas.

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“I inherited this practice from my late father who was in the business for more than six decades, and no initiate had ever died at his school. I have been doing it for 11 years and ensure all my students return home alive and healthy. This year I had more than 50 initiates, includes boys and girls, and I can confirm to you that they are all in good condition,” he said.

Mokoena said seeing the parents’ joy at their children’s Go-Khubelo dancing event gave him much pleasure.

“It shows that people in this area still enjoy ingoma and also trust me with their kids. For those who take chronic medication, I ensure they continue to take it as prescribed. Those who are sick are being looked after until we are sure they are healthy. I also ensure parents that they will not be abused by anyone as long as they are still under my care,” he promised.

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Meanwhile, the president of the Congress of Traditional Leaders of SA and the leader of the provincial House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders, Kgoshi Mathupha Mokoena, regretted the sentiment that the Lowveld is known for either deaths or other harmful incidents occurring during the area’s initiation schools.

He said despite the extreme cold in the area, the owners of the schools are following all precautions to keep the initiates safe and healthy.

“We hardly have any deaths in the Bushbuckridge region at our initiation schools as we always make sure we follow the rules and protect our initiates. We employ people who know and understand our culture and adhere to the laws. We also make sure we give permission to people who have good experience of practising ingoma. We even ensure those on medication take it regularly,” Mokoena said.

He called on community members to take care during the celebrations afterwards and to not drink and drive, which causes unnecessary accidents.

“I am calling on everyone to look after themselves and their families. We engaged the police to be visible in all areas where celebrations are held to ensure the people are safe and that those who are breaking the law are dealt with,” he said.

It is expected that more than 10 000 people will descend on the area to celebrate the ingoma graduation ceremonies on August 10.