Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has stepped up preparations for the upcoming summer initiation season following refresher training for traditional surgeons and assistants, with a renewed focus on health, safety and legal compliance.
The training was organised by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Initiation Forum, in collaboration with the Department of Health, and was held at three venues across the metro between 7 and 9 November 2026.
The sessions took place at the LoveLife Centre in Kariega on 7 November, Raymond Mhlaba Sport Complex in Motherwell on 8 November and Mendi Arts Centre in New Brighton on 9 November.
The training aimed to strengthen the readiness of traditional surgeons and assistants (Iingcibi namaKhankatha), while updating practitioners and other stakeholders on the latest health, safety and legal requirements governing the initiation process.
The municipality has urged prospective initiates, parents and guardians to ensure that all medical screenings, consent procedures and other compliance requirements are completed before the initiation process begins.
Parents and guardians are required to obtain and complete the prescribed forms issued by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA). They are available through ward councillor offices.
The municipality said 5 500 forms have already been distributed in Nelson Mandela Bay, resulting in stocks being depleted. A second batch is expected to be available at ward councillor offices by 23 November 2026.
Prospective initiates are also required to undergo an initial medical examination at least three months before their intended circumcision date.
According to the municipality, no prescribed form is required for this initial medical assessment, which is intended to identify any underlying health conditions that may require treatment before the initiate participates in the customary practice.
“Where a medical condition is identified, the prospective initiate must receive appropriate treatment, followed by a second medical examination 14 days before undergoing the traditional initiation process in order to confirm that the initiate is medically fit to participate,” the municipality explained.
The municipality has also urged parents and guardians to help prospective initiates maintain good health ahead of the initiation period.
This includes ensuring that they eat a balanced diet, drink sufficient water, abstain from sexual intercourse and alcohol consumption, avoid attending imiguyo (pre-initiation send-off gatherings), maintain a positive state of mind, and avoid unnecessary stress associated with the rite of passage.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to monitor their children's conduct and be alert to sudden changes in their behaviour or health, seeking medical assistance where necessary.
The municipality has further reminded parents, guardians, traditional surgeons, assistants and other stakeholders that customary male initiation must be conducted in accordance with the applicable legislative framework.
The national framework is governed by the Customary Initiation Act, 2021 (Act No. 2 of 2021), which regulates customary initiation practices and initiation schools, while outlining the responsibilities of parents, traditional leaders, traditional surgeons, caregivers and government structures.
The Act also provides for the registration of initiation schools and establishes national and provincial oversight structures.
The framework is further supported by the Customary Initiation Regulations, 2025, which set out requirements for monitoring, inspections, investigations and enforcement of compliance.
In the Eastern Cape, customary male initiation is also regulated by the Eastern Cape Customary Male Initiation Practice Act, 2016 (Act No. 5 of 2016), and its accompanying regulations. These provide for provincial coordination structures and outline the responsibilities of parents, traditional leaders, traditional surgeons and traditional nurses, as well as requirements relating to permission, initiation schools and the protection of initiates.
The national legislation also recognises provincial-specific provisions and establishes that the national Act takes precedence where there is a conflict with applicable provincial legislation.
“The municipality calls on all role-players to work together to ensure that the upcoming summer initiation season is conducted in a safe, lawful, dignified and culturally respectful manner, with the protection of the lives, health and wellbeing of all initiates remaining the priority.
“The municipality further urges parents and guardians to ensure that their children only attend properly registered initiation schools and that all required medical, consent and legal processes are completed before the initiation process begins.” – SAnews.gov.za
