Boys to men must be a safe passage

WITH the 2016 winter initiation season officially opened by the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders last Thursday, the anxiety of government leaders and families who will be sending their sons to the mountains, runs high.

One of the main concerns is that some of the initiates might not come back from these schools. The Eastern Cape recorded 43 deaths with 18 of them, the most in one region, in the Chris Hani municipal area.

The most prevalent cause of death was dehydration while assault and septicaemia were also listed as causes.

While some of the deaths could not have been avoided, two of the leading causes – dehydration and assault – could be prevented.

The process of graduating from boys to men is delicate and needs care, love and patience. It needs people who are committed to contributing towards a better world by creating a special breed of men.

Of course we can not remove the monetary value and gifts that come with being a traditional nurse. I would not expect a man to be serious about making a living from being a traditional nurse. Circumcision happens twice a year and how much can a person really make to sustain him and his family for six months?

It all comes back to the dedication to changing a life for the better.

Would it not be a great feeling to meet a young man some years later who praises you for the success of his life, which is partly as a result of your teaching while he was

I appeal to every man who is going to be charged with the duty of traditional nursing to put development, grooming and care ahead of all other interests while given responsibility for these young boys during this season.

I plead with families, community members and traditional leaders to play their part by making sure they visit these young men. Ensure their safety against those who think being a man is terrorising helpless and clueless boys.

I wish the young men a speedy homecoming and a season full of great memories that will help them become the kind of men our society needs.

Finally, to the men, let us suit up for this occasion so we can watch with pride when families, even if they are not our own, celebrate the homecoming of their sons.