MTHATHA- The OR Tambo District Municipality(ORTDM) has started with preparations for this year’s winter circumcision season 2025, The municipality which leads towns like Flagstaff, Lusikisiki, Port St Johns, Libode, Ngqeleni, Mqanduli, Mtata, Tsolo and Qumbu has in the past experienced challenges of initiates dying every season.
This year the beleaguered region wants to set the tone and put all hands on deck to save lives of initiates from all the towns.
OR Tambo District Initiation Forum Chairperson Chief Zwelizolile Lutuka has vowed to be hands on making sure that the scourge of dying initiates comes to an abrupt end.
Talking during the awareness campaign held at OR Tambo District Municipality headquarters in Mthatha, he pronounced that they are expecting all stakeholders to play a pivotal role in ensuring the safety of young men. “I want to remind everyone involved that the circumcision season is near and all we want is for children, to go to initiation school alive and come back alive and healthy”, he said.
The Forum has set different specific dates for screening and medical examination of boys, who will be undergoing the traditional practice. With two windows earmarked for opening of initiation schools, it is expected that all stakeholders play their part in making sure the safety and livelihood of young men.
Furthermore, “All screening centres will commence on 01 June 2025 and we expect legal initiation schools to start operating on 14 June 2025, with the second window opening on 27 June 2025 for the mid-year circumcision season”, added Lutuka.
Parents and guardians have also been urged to thread carefully in terms of allowing their kids to undergo the ritual, with a stern warning to those who want to sacrifice schooling time and those who go awol.
“We plead with parents and guardians, especially mothers to pay attention to their children and talk to them frequently to avoid kids going without their parent’s approval. We don’t want to pupils to leave school, rushing to initiation schools and we encourage mothers play a role in making sure that their sons don’t get involved in bogus circumcision”, Lutuka concluded.
Photograph: Chief Zwelizolile Lutuka
Photograph: OR Tambo District Municipality/ Supplied
Wonga Sirayi
