Vella Nyoni
POLOKWANE – It has long been a tradition that young men and sometimes young women go to Initiation schools as a right of passage.
This practice has been done for many years in most rural areas. One has to wonder where this practice fits in modern day society.
We went to the streets of Polokwane asking residents what they thought of these schools.
Tshwarelo Mpuru said that she thinks it is too risky to send young boys to these schools. “I do not agree with this at all, it is too risky because a lot of young boys lose their lives in the process,” said Mpuru.
“I think government should encourage boys to get circumcised at a hospital where it is safe and sanitary,” she said. Beatrice Phukubje said this is an African tradition that I think is good. “I think going to the mountains is a good idea, the only down side is that the people who are performing these procedures are not trained,” said Phukubje. “The elders who are there performing these procedures should take a medical course to be trained on how to properly circumcise these boys, so as to avoid anyone from dying,” she added.
Thabang Molaba said he does not agree with these customs and traditions. “I think is a bad idea, I had a friend who went there and he came back sick,” said Molaba. “Sometimes they force the boys to go hunting, collect firewood and wash themselves in a stream and this is not right, it is winter so it gets very cold,” said Thabang.
Malusi Malope he does not totally disagree with the idea of going to Initiation schools. “Going there is not just about getting circumcised, they teach you how to conduct yourself as a young man and these are things you cannot learn by yourself. He does however, agree that safety precautions should be taken to ensure that no one dies during these times.
Kagisho Ledwaba says he thinks parents who take their children there are being abusive. “As a parents you cannot take your child there unprepared, without blankets or food, this is not responsible parenting,” said Ledwaba.
Tiisetso Mashiane says these schools are bad news and should be closed down. “I do not believe in these traditional things. “These are modern times and people should go to hospitals,” said Mashiane.
Dikgang Ledwaba said people should move with the times. “Those things belong in the past, they have no place in modern society,” said Ledwaba. “It is pointless for parents to send their children to the mountains when there are hospitals who around, it does not make sense,” he continued. Whether you are Pro or anti Initiation schools , it can be agreed that the death toll seems to be raising each year.
