Hundreds of Eastern Cape parents, including premier Oscar Mabuyane and his wife, Siyasanga, have hosted traditional initiation homecoming celebrations for their sons before schools reopen for the third term.
Prominent families, including those of Eastern Cape Provincial Initiation Co-ordinating Committee chair Nkosi Gwazinamba Matanzima, Buffalo City Metro mayor Princess Faku and Thembuland kingdom senior royal family elder and retired SANDF general Themba TT Matanzima, were among the many thousands of households who had sent their youngsters to the mountain this winter season.
While Faku’s son, Mzi, had his umgidi ceremony in East London on July 12, Gwazinamba’s heir, Prince Bambo Matanzima, 18, enjoyed his on Thursday at the Mcuncuzo Great Place in Cofimvaba.
On Saturday, General Matanzima oversaw the umgidi of a royal regiment of 11 young men, including four Matanzima princes.
But it was Mabuyane and his wife who stole the show this initiation season.
They hosted what was dubbed the “provincial umgidi”, a celebration that attracted scores of people, including members of the political elite, among them cabinet ministers, deputy ministers and the who’s who of the Eastern Cape.
Mabuyane’s sons, Liyema, 20, and Hlumelo, 18, underwent the rite of passage on June 20 at Deberha village, Ngcobo, before graduating on Wednesday, kicking off a five-day jamboree that culminated in the main celebrations on Saturday.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, who could not attend, sent a video message congratulating the two young men on completing their initiation journey.
Liyema had delayed going for initiation for two years, waiting for his younger brother to turn 18, so they could undergo the rite together.
Reflecting on the importance of family involvement in the initiation journey, Mabuyane emphasised the value of parents’ presence in ensuring the wellbeing of their sons.
On Thursday, Mabuyane, joined by AmaMpondo King Yolisa Sigcau and other men, led the youngsters home.
The next day it was ukuyala, at which words of wisdom from elders, both male and female, were shared with the graduates, followed by Saturday’s huge, colourful umgidi celebration.
The initiation of my sons has brought me closer to them, especially [given] that one of them has special needs, hence I took month-long leave
“The initiation of my sons has brought me closer to them, especially [given] that one of them has special needs, hence I took month-long leave,” Mabuyane said.
“I had a good time bonding with my sons. These four weeks covered almost the whole 20 years I was constantly away from them because of work.
“Yes, I stay with them at home, but most of the time, due to work pressure, I am out of home.
“I did not have a chance to support them fully in school, and my wife has been doing all of that, supporting the kids in everything.
“The only thing I can do to appreciate her is to take the boys to initiation school and come back with them healthy, strong and alive.
“Hence I had to go all out to ensure I was playing my role fully as a father.”
The premier had been heavily criticised when he took 34 days’ leave to be with his sons despite the floods which devastated parts of the province in June, claiming the lives of at least 103 people.
However, Mabuyane, who attended flood-hit areas during the early stages of the disaster, said he believed he had made the right decision.
“The custom of ulwaluko is a family matter and needs the proximity of a father and the whole family, and my contribution was to make sure that my sons’ initiation was incident-free.
“If we, as fathers and families, can stand up for our sons, we can prevent initiation deaths.
“Fathers must not abdicate their parental responsibilities.
“My second son has special needs, and he knows me and his mother more. Because his mother was not there, it was a must that I be there.”
Recorded messages from Ramaphosa and veteran award-winning actor John Kani highlighted the responsibilities that came with manhood, urging the two graduates to respect women and the community.
Ramaphosa said: “Making it home is a real relief to your parents, especially to your mother, because mothers wait anxiously when boys have gone for their rite of passage into manhood.
“While some never come back, we are very pleased that your father was there to support you, to hold your hand, and ensure that you were back home safely.”
Ramaphosa said a man was not only measured by having undergone the rite.
“It is measured by the way you embrace the right value system, and how you carry yourself in society.
“It is, more importantly, measured by the choices that you make in life. Respect for your community, respect for your mother and father, but respect for women.”
Siyasanga Mabuyane shared tears of joy and relief on her sons’ return, saying she was “very appreciative” of her husband “and all those who took care of my boys in the mountain”.
At Mabuyane’s homestead, Faku said: “Being a mother of an initiate for the first time is truly an emotional, sacred and proudest moment.”
Daily Dispatch
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