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ALICE – The summer initiation season in the Eastern Cape received the green light after a series of consultations.
With COVID-19 and strict lockdown regulations, things will be done differently this year.
The initiation season was supposed to start in June, but when the pandemic hit, it had to take a back seat.
READ: Summer initiation schools banned in Nelson Mandela Bay
After months of deliberations on when the season should start, the Eastern Cape government and the House of Traditional Leaders say they are happy with the proceedings.
The acting president of the National House of Traditional Leaders, Langa Mavuso, said that so far things are going according to plan.
“In accordance with the risk-adjusted strategy that we present to the government, we encourage parents to manage circumcision within COVID-19 protocols,” he said.
READ: Traditional leaders call for reopening of summer initiation schools
The provincial government says COVID-19 testing will be performed on both initiated and traditional surgeons who perform circumcisions.
“Things are happening in the province in that regard to ensure that the requirements in terms of health examinations are met,” said Eastern Cape Cogta MEC Xolile Nqatha.
The Eastern Cape is the only province that conducts initiations and the season is scheduled to end just before students return to school.
* Reports Nceba Ntlanganiso of eNCA.
