Issued by the office of the ANC Provincial Secretary
Reports about deaths of abakhwetha (initiates) in the traditional initiation schools known as Amabhuma, are painful to us as the ANC.
Government is doing all it in its power to ensure that the passage from boyhood to manhood is a safe, education and good transition for our young boys.
Reports of deaths related physical abuse are disturbing us. We call on communities, Amakhankatha neeNgcibi and families of the initiates to play their role in ensuring abakhwetha are safe during their ulwaluko process.
There is no need for any of them to die or be a victim of abuse. We can stop this if we work together as a collective. These deaths and abuse of abakhwetha must fall and must stop now.
All stakeholders must make sure that ulwaluko is conducted according to the tradition and anyone in breach of that must be arrested. Communities must report those doing wrong.
Ends…
NB: This statement must be attributed to the ANC Eastern Cape Provincial Secretary, Lubabalo Mabuyane.
