Plans to construct the new Interpretation Centre as part of the Egazini heritage site south-east of Grahamstown have raised concerns amongst amaXhosa initiates as well as residents in the area.
Plans to construct the new Interpretation Centre as part of the Egazini heritage site south-east of Grahamstown have raised concerns amongst amaXhosa initiates as well as residents in the area.
The site is bordered by the Vukani and Eluxolweni residential areas. The adjacent bush and open land, a large area of commonage, are the base for the Makana Initiation School.
Every year, hundreds of young amaXhosa males travel from across the Eastern Cape to undergo the rite of passage known as ulwaluko (male initiation) which involves male circumcision and carries important social, cultural and psychological significance.
Now, with the loss of the school, many are wondering what the cultural repercussions will be.
Makana Councillor, Julia Wells, who is on the industrial portfolio for the Egazini Heritage site, says that the Interpretation Centre will include facilities that provide for amaXhosa circumcision practised by traditional surgeons or ingcibi.
“We’re aware that the centre will be taking the place of the initiation school and we know the importance of the school to many in the Eastern Cape," she said. “Infrastructure for the building has already been put into place and we will be providing facilities that will be used specifically for ritual circumcision done in a safe and hygienic manner.”
Traditional surgeon, Peter Nxoboyi, who resides in the Eastern Cape believes that as long as the initiates have a secluded area to go to after ulwaluko has taken place, there should be no problems with the centre being built.
“The initiates must have a place in the bush where they will not be disturbed and where they can learn," said Nxoboyi. “If there is no quiet and no seclusion then the boys cannot focus and learn and they will not become men.”
An important part of the journey into manhood for the amaXhosa initiate (umfana) is societal isolation after he has been through the process of initiation.
The construction of the Interpretation Centre could, however, interfere with this as it will undoubtedly attract a large amount of locals and tourists due to its various other facilities such as its art galleries and performance areas.
The Interpretation Centre will form part of three main changes to the Egazini Heritage site.
The other two are a Memorial Garden at the top of Albert Street and the transformation of the Vukani Green Belt into a parks and recreational area serving as a link between the two.
Vukani resident Thabo Lesoro believes that the attention the centre will attract may be a distraction to initiates and has the potential to disrupt the process they must go through.
"When you’ve gone through the procedure you must be away from people and from the city or the township," said Lesoro. "There is a lot of important knowledge that you acquire when you are healing. If there are people that you don’t know always walking around and disrupting you, you will not go through the process properly."
Zingisa Dlali, who went through ulwaluko in the Eastern Cape, explained how important the rite of passage is.
He said every step needs to be treated with equal importance and that if one part of the rite of passage isn’t carried out properly, it can result in a shunning by the traditional amaXhosa.
“The amaXhosa people take the initiation process very seriously. It is not a mere procedure, but rather a journey to discovering your inner manhood. When you undertake your procedure your life is literally in the hands of others," said Dlali. “This not only teaches you trust, but takes you into manhood.”
“As practical as the new centre may seem, it could be shunned by the Xhosa community and could result in an 'othering' of the guys who are circumcised this way,” he said.
"It’s important to note that this centre will upgrade and draw attention to the community and its culture," said Wells. "We hope that by uplifting the community the various cultures within it will be uplifted too."
