Speech of Minister Anroux Marais at Initiation Consultative Meeting in Cape Town

WESTERN CAPE MINISTER OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS AND SPORT, ANROUX MARAIS

INITIATION CONSULTATIVE MEETING AT THE STRAND TOWERS HOTEL ON 11 NOVEMBER 2017

Good day, goeiemore, molweni

Thank you for affording me the opportunity to address you at this very significant Initiation Consultative Meeting.

Because initiation is a cultural practice with health implications, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) aims to create a safe and enabling environment for the effective rite of passage. We understand the unique challenges that the province faces with regards to identification and management of sites, safe and hygienic practices, pre- and post-care, the cultural value of initiation and social and family roles and responsibilities.

Due to these challenges, it is important that we work together to redress them. I thank you for your co-operation and all your efforts to ensure the safety of initiates while the traditional cultural practice was effectively observed.

Because parents and communities play a significant role in the cultural practice of initiation, it is important that each forum engages with them on a regular basis. They often have many questions and only want peace of mind before, during and after the initiation period. I ask you to treat them with the utmost respect and understanding as they share our goal of ensuring the traditional rite of passage is effectively performed.

I hope this consultative meeting will conclude fruitfully, in which the feedback provided on the past initiation season will serve as a basis for improved preparation for the upcoming season. I look forward to redressing the challenges we are faced with better together.

I thank you.