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Senior Amathole District Municipality leaders joined traditional authorities in East London on 13–14 November 2025 for the official opening of the 2025 Summer Initiation Season. The program included training for iingcibi and amakhankatha, a men’s imbizo, and a launch ceremony. The event brought government, health professionals and traditional leaders together to improve safety and standards across the province.
What Happened?
The Eastern Cape Department of COGTA, together with the Provincial House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders, hosted the session. The gathering began with a closed training segment for registered traditional surgeons and nurses. Health practitioners, SAPS representatives and traditional leaders guided the discussions.
Stakeholders stressed improved hygiene, hydration, correct equipment and consistent medical oversight. Forums representing Amathole District, local municipalities and Buffalo City Metro agreed that the training filled critical gaps and supported safer rites of passage for boys.
Official Response
ADM Executive Mayor Councilor Anele Ntsangani, Council Speaker,Councilor Onke Mgunculu and Initiation Forum Chairperson Chief Mzikayise Kaulela attended the program. Officials emphasized that safety remains a shared responsibility.
Councilor Mgunculu described the sessions as “dire and necessary,” adding:
“For this to work we must show one another the right way and learn from each other. Complacency and ignorance cannot be tolerated. Let us ensure we are there for our boys and do right by them, baye bephila babuye bephila.”
The program closes with a Men’s Imbizo and an official launch at the Alex Golf Country Club.
Community Impact
The strong turnout reflected a unified commitment to safe initiation practices. The renewed collaboration aims to reduce injuries and deaths linked to malpractice while strengthening trust between families, practitioners and authorities. Parents and community structures welcomed the initiative, noting that well-trained practitioners protect cultural dignity and the well-being of initiates.
