By Dideka Njemla and Kamvaletu Booi
With Ulwaluko season concluding, the Makana Municipality marks yet another successful season of the customary male initiation practice. The municipality and other organisations involved continue to support the notion of upholding the safety of initiates in this region, ensuring that no deaths are reported. The major bi-annual school breaks have gained recognition for marking the coming-of-age ritual for Xhosa boys. During the July and December holidays, many African households start preparing for the symbolic tradition of Xhosa male circumcision.
Ingcibi – the traditional surgeon
Serving a key role in the lives of many young men in the Makana district is Xolani Simakuhle, who functions as the spokesperson and ingcibi of Makana Isiko Loluntu Organisation– a body formed by traditional surgeons and traditional nurses (amakhankatha). Simakuhle is a longstanding member of the organisation and has fulfilled the role of ingcibi for 20 years. Throughout the years that Simakuhle has been a traditional guardian for these boys, he has prioritised the lives of young men under his care and has ensured that they all return home alive and healthy.
“In my 20 years of experience, I have never come across a story of a young boy who lost his life in our school. Before they come to our school, we make it a point that they go for a full-body medical checkup. We nurture these young men, and once they are in our care, it is our responsibility to look after them,” he said.
Simakuhle continued to say boys on medication are strictly monitored to avoid endangering their health. He also shared that being ingcibi was a calling and a duty that he took on because of two important figures in his life. Simakuhle said, “Everything that I know about initiation and our culture was passed onto me from my father and father-in-law because they also served as ingcibi. I have learnt a lot from them.”
Teachings from initiation school
Andile Ntshobodi and Zuzokuhle Ndlazi are two newly initiated who were under the guidance and care of Simakuhle. These two men sat down with our Grocott’s Mail reporters and shared some of the morals and core teachings that were passed onto them from initiation school. They highlighted that the journey taught them many different aspects of manhood. “Ubudoda is about making wise decisions, and not allowing yourself to be peer pressured by your peers. It is about being able to say no, being independent, and surrounding yourself with positive people,” said Ntshobodi. Simakuhle added and said, “Becoming a man does not mean you throw your weight around and bully your family. They remain children to their parents, siblings to their siblings, and students to their teachers. Those are the values we teach them. They are expected to add value to their families; to be blessings to their families.”
Ubaluleka ko saluka
Embracing brotherhood and togetherness after the transition to manhood becomes one of the many valuable lessons that are instilled in black men during their stay in the bush. In the lives of these young men, this time imposes strict norms of manhood, cultural pride, identity and customs that they’ll carry forever.
Another key aspect of this transition is forging strong connections within the brotherhood. The deep bonds of loyalty and companionship teach these men to look out for one another and view one another as equals. “Eligama lithi saluka lithetha likhulu kuthi. Lithetha ngobu ntlalonye bethu, it’s a term used to describe i-brotherhood yethu yase hlathi that we continue to nurture even outside,” said Ndlazi.
Ntshobodi continued to emphasise the value of connection and building trust with other young men during this time.
Breaking stigmas
Belonging to an organisation that leads a successful initiation school, Simakuhle said there are many rules, regulations and safety protocols that they (ingcibi and amakhankatha) have to undergo to qualify for the vital and yet delicate duties that they perform. As this custom often faces high death rates, severe stigmas, and reports of inhumane treatment towards the initiates, Ntshobodi and Ndlazi have confirmed that they received no ill-treatment and were treated with respect on their journey.
“Phaya kukho abantu abadala, kubekho abantu abalandela emveni kwabo kugqibele thina. Okuba iye yakhona into engalunganga ethe yenzeka baye bathi abantu abakhulu masiba xelele singavumeli yonke into. Sikhunjuzwa oko okuba asiyanga pha uyo hlukunyenzwa. Phayana siyokonwaba and kuye konwabe wonke umntu,” said Ntshobodi.
Simakuhle further identified some problematic behaviours that are unacceptable at initiation schools and said, “i-drugs, utywala asizi, i-fights kwaye nabantu aba robha abanye asizifuni. Lilonke, we are guided by very strict rules ehlathini. Sine mithetho esilawulayo okuba masenze intlalo kahle.”
