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A landmark event marks the resolution of violent clashes, bringing together rival groups, traditional leaders, and government officials to safeguard cultural practices and community well-being.
In 2023, the Amadiba administrative area in Mbizana was plunged into chaos as two groups of initiates clashed violently, resulting in casualties, deaths, and the destruction of homes by fire. The community was overwhelmed with grief and mourning due to these tragic events. In response, Chief Lunga Baleni, the traditional leader, exercised his authority by banning initiation schools, particularly in the Lurholweni area where these incidents occurred. This decision significantly impacted the education of young people in the region. Fortunately, the situation has since calmed, and such violent incidents have ceased. Chief Lebenyo Initiation Forum that encompass abeSotho, amaXhosa and amaHlubi Cultural norms and values was there.
Dr. Celebration Ntungwa, Manager for Cultural Affairs in the Alfred Nzo District’s Department of Sports, Recreation, and Culture, continuously monitored the situation and appealed to the Provincial Office for financial assistance.
On July 26, 2024, a significant event was held at the AFM Church Hall, bringing together various stakeholders, including both rival groups of initiates and their leaders. Chief Baleni along with the delegation of Chief Lebenya initiation forum that is diversified with Abe-Sotho, Ama-Xhosa and Ama-Hlubi the tolerance of cross cultural understanding of norms and values.
Dr. Ntungwa emphasized the department’s commitment to nation-building and social cohesion. He urged traditional leaders to uphold and defend their customs and practices.
Dr. Loyiso Nqevu, a Xhosa Cultural Activist, highlighted that a true man is not defined by his alcohol consumption or number of impregnated women but by his discipline, education, and respect for others. He noted that amaMpondo and amaZulu once had initiation schools, but wars and invasions led to their abolishment by King Faku in the 1820s and King Shaka between 1821 and 1828.
Mr. Siphesihle Dlamini, Secretary of the Winie Madikizela-Mandela Initiation Forum, stated that initiation schools are meant to instill good character and responsibility in initiates. He shared his personal experience of giving up alcohol at the age of 16 after attending initiation school and focusing on his studies, eventually advancing to tertiary education. Mr. Dlamini encouraged initiates to work hard to improve their families and communities. Chief Baleni praised Mr. Dlamini for his dedication, highlighting his readiness to respond to emergencies related to initiation schools at any hour.
Mr. Dlamini also mentioned a disturbing case where a deceased initiate, initially reported to have died from a minor illness, was found through post-mortem results to have had a broken neck and ribs. He called for a vibrant committee to monitor all initiation schools. Sergeant Mgolombane of SAPS echoed this need, expressing his anger over the post-mortem findings and calling the incident a disgrace.
Giving his address Mr Salukazana said “The firmness*Government and Traditional Leaders Unite to Restore Peace in Amadiba After Deadly Initiation School Conflicts*
A landmark event marks the resolution of violent clashes, bringing together rival groups, traditional leaders, and government officials to safeguard cultural practices and community well-being.
In 2023, the Amadiba administrative area in Mbizana was plunged into chaos as two groups of initiates clashed violently, resulting in casualties, deaths, and the destruction of homes by fire. The community was overwhelmed with grief and mourning due to these tragic events. In response, Chief Lunga Baleni, the traditional leader, exercised his authority by banning initiation schools, particularly in the Lurholweni area where these incidents occurred. This decision significantly impacted the education of young people in the region. Fortunately, the situation has since calmed, and such violent incidents have ceased. Chief Lebenyo Initiation Forum that encompass abeSotho, amaXhosa and amaHlubi Cultural norms and values was there.
Dr. Celebration Ntungwa, Manager for Cultural Affairs in the Alfred Nzo District’s Department of Sports, Recreation, and Culture, continuously monitored the situation and appealed to the Provincial Office for financial assistance.
On July 26, 2024, a significant event was held at the AFM Church Hall, bringing together various stakeholders, including both rival groups of initiates and their leaders. Chief Baleni along with the delegation of Chief Lebenya initiation forum that is diversified with Abe-Sotho, Ama-Xhosa and Ama-Hlubi the tolerance of cross cultural understanding of norms and values.
Dr. Ntungwa emphasized the department’s commitment to nation-building and social cohesion. He urged traditional leaders to uphold and defend their customs and practices.
Dr. Loyiso Nqevu, a Xhosa Cultural Activist, highlighted that a true man is not defined by his alcohol consumption or number of impregnated women but by his discipline, education, and respect for others. He noted that amaMpondo and amaZulu once had initiation schools, but wars and invasions led to their abolishment by King Faku in the 1820s and King Shaka between 1821 and 1828.
Mr. Siphesihle Dlamini, Secretary of the Winie Madikizela-Mandela Initiation Forum, stated that initiation schools are meant to instill good character and responsibility in initiates. He shared his personal experience of giving up alcohol at the age of 16 after attending initiation school and focusing on his studies, eventually advancing to tertiary education. Mr. Dlamini encouraged initiates to work hard to improve their families and communities. Chief Baleni praised Mr. Dlamini for his dedication, highlighting his readiness to respond to emergencies related to initiation schools at any hour.
Mr. Dlamini also mentioned a disturbing case where a deceased initiate, initially reported to have died from a minor illness, was found through post-mortem results to have had a broken neck and ribs. He called for a vibrant committee to monitor all initiation schools. Sergeant Mgolombane of SAPS echoed this need, expressing his anger over the post-mortem findings and calling the incident a disgrace.
Giving his address Mr Salukazana said “The firmness of this robust social discourse debate redefine lack of cultural understanding of cultural revativism as opposed to cultural enthrocentrism within the same ethnic group of encullturation homegeneity”
The amaHlubi National Working Committee Chairperson urged families to adhere to government regulations governing the custom, emphasizing the importance of following rules and avoiding uncalled-for practices. He called for calm and patience, aligning with the positive points raised during the event. of this robust social discourse debate redefine lack of cultural understanding of cultural revativism as opposed to cultural enthrocentrism within the same ethnic group of encullturation homegeneity”
The amaHlubi National Working Committee Chairperson Mr. Musa Radebe who is a direct descendant of king Langalibalele 2 urged families to adhere to government regulations governing the custom, emphasizing the importance of following rules and avoiding uncalled-for practices. He called for calm and patience, aligning with the positive points raised during the event.
