‘Abusing children and women is unpatriotic’
Influential traditional leaders including AmaXhosa King Mpendulo Zwelonke Sigcawu have spoken out strongly against the abuse of women and children.
Sigcawu urged young men to show patriotism by fighting these social ills. The protection of women, children and the frail was at the core of being a good South African.
The king and other traditional leaders were speaking at the umgidi ceremony or traditional graduation of Prince KhakhalikaXhosa Sigcawu, 19, and Prince Chuma Sigcawu, 19, the king's first cousins and nephews in Ngqadu Great Place near Willowvale on Saturday.
He said attacks on women and children were shameful and alien to Africanism.
They were among 30,000 young men who underwent the rite in the province. Nineteen died.
The king was speaking in the company of the Eastern Cape moral regeneration provincial chairman Nkosi Ngangomhlaba Matanzima, senior Xhosa royal family member and AmaJingqi clan member Nkosi Mandlenkosi Dumalisile and Nkosi Langa Mavuso, who is the deputy provincial chair of both Contralesa and Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders. Mavuso was also representing Noloyiso Sandile, the AmaRharhabe Queen, as well as the king’s aunt, Princess NomaXhosa Sigcawu.
Among the 1,500 well-wishers were political leaders, government officials, business people, Nqadu and Nywarha villagers.
Matanzima said: “Even in the time of wars and battle, women and children were not attacked, abused or ill-treated. Even women and children of enemies were always protected by the attacking warriors, kings and chiefs.
“According to African values and norms, vulnerable groups like women, children and the elderly were held in highest esteem and their safety was always ensured by attackers.
“That was what we called patriotism. What is happening today – the rape, killing and the general abuse and ill-treatment of women, children and the elderly – by people calling themselves circumcised men is a deep shame to all of us and speaks volumes of the crop of circumcised men we have in this time and age.”
KhakhalikaXhosa, who is a first-year finance student at the University of Johannesburg, is heir to the king’s uncle, Nkosi Xhanti Sigcawu, the head of Mbhashe Traditional Council and senior member of the Xhosa royal family and the king's council.
Chuma has taken a gap year after passing matric in 2017.
King Sigcawu said: “We must create an educated nation, and you young royals must show the way and empower yourselves with education and stay away from drugs and liquor. Be exemplary.”
The event also showcased the diversity and uniqueness of the cultures of AmaXhosa and VaVenda. Two oxen, 15 sheep, two pigs and 100 chickens were slaughtered and hundreds litres of umqombothi were brewed for the feast.