Hon Speaker, on behalf of the IFP, I would like to convey our sincerest condolences to the families, friends and relatives of the young men who lost their lives as a result of their recent initiation ceremonies held in the Mpumalanga province. Cultural practices are dynamic and tend to change with time and circumstances. For instance, the Zulu people had initiation schools, but during the reign of King Shaka, these were abandoned as the King required young men to be drafted into the Zulu army. He argued that all the initiation rights of passage would be imparted during their military training, and the fact that the young men in his mighty army were not circumcised did not in any way reduce their manhood. Instead, the Zulu armies conquered all the nations in their region.
The examples of customs changing and not remaining static are numerous, for example, in ilobolo. There was a time when it was paid in the form of cattle, but today it is paid in the form of money. At some stage in history Nguni people lived in huts, but today they live in modern houses of bricks and tiles. Things change and they usually change for the better.
The point that I am trying to make is that cultural practices and norms do not have to remain static in order still to be traditional. There is no reason not to use sterile circumcision equipment, or not to have competent medical personnel on stand-by in the event of complications arising with any particular initiate. The Department of Health must ensure that all initiation ceremonies of this nature have adequate and competent medical support staff deployed to them.
We also agree that if circumcision in its traditional form has become harmful it should be modernised. Traditional leaders, as custodians of culture and customs, must play their role in leading these changes. Fly-by- night initiation schools must not be allowed. Initiates must know which initiation schools are sanctioned by the government, and we call for educational awareness campaigns in our rural communities in this regard.
As we live in a world where HIV and Aids are rife, we also strongly suggest that all would-be initiates undergo HIV/Aids screening prior to being allowed to attend these ceremonies.
Speaker, if I may go further in responding to what the hon member has said here with regard to amakhosi being in Parliament, the passing of customs, cultures and traditions to communities does not need a man's presence every day. There are meetings within communities where things are passed on to community members, rather than for the amakhosi to be visible and present where they are leaders. I thank you. [Applause.]