Virgin girls celebrated in Ebony Park

Rabie Ridge women ensured that the culture of ukuhlolwa kwezintombi (virginity testing) never dies when virgin girls gathered in Ebony Park on July 7 to support their peers who turned 16.

Amatshi empela is a group of girls who stick to regular virginity testing to prove they have not engaged in sexual activities at a tender age.

Founder of Amatshi empela Gladys Sangweni said the group started in 2004 when her daughter used to go to Thokoza for virginity testing.

“It became too far for us. I then went for virginity testing training and came back to practice virginity testing in Midrand.

“It is important for girl children to preserve their virginity because there are many diseases out there that can be contracted by a girl child,” said Gogo Sangweni.

“We encourage the girls to show respect at home and do all the chores they are expected to do. Above all, we encourage them to study and get the necessary qualifications which will enable them to be self-sufficient.

“There are older children who have graduated from this group and we thank God for that,” said Gogo Sangweni.

She appealed to churches to embrace this culture and open their doors to let virginity testing reach girls.

Gogo Sangweni said the culture of virginity testing is biblical as Jephthah’s daughter wept, not over her death but over her “virginity”.

“Therefore, we continue to encourage girl children to preserve their virginity to prevent teenage pregnancy. We will not stop virginity testing because it is in the Bible and it keeps children safe from contracting diseases,” Gogo Sangweni explained.

She also appealed to parents, regardless of cultural beliefs, to let their children go for virginity testing and maintaining abstinence.

A 27-year-old graduate of Amatshitshi empela, Sfiso Sangweni, said she was happy for her cousin’s (Nonjabulo Mbatha) event of umhlonyane for turning 16.

“She is a good example to other virgins in the area. We encourage other girls to follow in the path of Amatshi empela. I want to let them know that this path is walkable,” said Sfiso.

One of the elders, Busi “Miliyavuza” Lunga, said when a girl child sees her period for the first time, a family will throw an event for her called Umhlonyane.

“Here we teach and guide the child how to carry themselves in preserving their virginity. We are saying let us put a stop to children getting pregnant and also prevent the spreading of HIV,” said Lunga.

She said every parent must take their children for testing and appealed to government to assist in the culture of virginity testing.

“In virginity testing, a child will not get an abortion without the parent knowing about it,” Lunga added.

Nonjabulo Mbatha thanked her mother for organising umhlonyane for her and she also thanked everyone who came to support her daughter.

“I also want to thank Gogo Sangweni and all the groups that performed at the event. Thank you very much,” said Mbatha.

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