Initiation land issues

THE front-page lead article “Fury over initiation land’ and the editorial “Talk to the people that matter” published in yesterday’s edition of your paper refers.

I would like to clarify upfront that the land in question has not been sold. To date, the city has advertised its intent to dispose of Erf 1 for public comment, as part of an inclusive participation process.

In addition, a report was submitted to the relevant subcouncils for notification. As it stands, currently there is no “in-principle” approval from any delegated authority or council for disposal of Erf 1.

We are mindful that this is a culturally sensitive matter and we have endeavoured to work with the Khayelitsha Traditional Forum (KTF) to come up with an amicable solution.

A meeting was held on May 19 between the City’s Property Management and Health Departments, the subcouncil managers for the Khayelitsha area (subcouncils 9,10, 23) and the KTF, who represented the initiation school situated on the land.

The KTF was informed that the city has commenced with the approval process to dispose of Erf 1 for commercial development purposes.

At the meeting, all parties reached a mutual agreement that the KTF would identify three possible alternative sites to establish an initiation school in the Khayelitsha area.

The city’s Health Department would then assist the KTF with a reservation of the ultimate chosen site and relevant role players would provide further help with the set-up.

As an inclusive city, we will continue to work with the KTF to secure an alternative suitable site to enable the forum to continue practising their centuries-old Xhosa tradition that is a part of the Cape Town cultural landscape – a tradition that we embrace and respect. Councillor Stuart Diamond Mayoral Committee Member for Assets and Facilities Management, City of Cape Town