Cape Town - The Gugulethu community’s endeavours to assist 11 destitute men to fulfil the traditional rite of passage into manhood paid off over the weekend when these initiates, who went to the initiation school in late November, returned.
The Ikhwezi Community Hall was abuzz with activity as the community congregated to welcome them back.
The Somagwaza Institute and the Gugulethu Initiation Forum, which held a mass celebration on Saturday, were instrumental in facilitating and raising funds for the group who missed out on the rite of passage due to financial and social difficulties.
Some of the initiates were in their late thirties and forties.
Sending someone to an initiation school comes with its costs, from paying the traditional surgeon and carer for the food required while the initiates are at the “mountain”, new clothes, blankets and, on other occasions, for the festivities that follow their return.
Somagwaza Institute chairperson Sikelela Zokufa, who described the process as challenging, said this was the first programme of its kind in the community. However, he said it eventually paid off.
Zokufa said the fundraising started a week before the commencement of the summer initiation season after the decision was made to assist the families.
He said social media was used to spread the word, which resulted in donations coming from as far afield as the Eastern Cape.
He said monetary donations received were just under R10 000, while others donated clothes, blankets, food and services.
“We started with the programmes by ensuring that the boys received pre-initiation medication and that they were physically and mentally fit. The ones we assisted had no parents and had grown up in orphanage homes.
“They were isolated in the community and some had been involved in drug use. We have learnt a lot from this year’s programme and going forward we now know that we need to plan better,” he said.
Zokufa called on the government and civil society to lend a hand on these programmes.
Gugulethu Initiation Forum chairperson Mzuxolile Damane said following the success of the programme, more struggling families have come forward seeking assistance.
“The initiates acknowledged the work from the community and have promised to work for its betterment. We also want them to be responsible members of the community, starting at their homes, and be exemplary to the youngsters,” Damane said.
Cape Argus