Mogalakwena’s initiates celebrate

BUSH school surgeon, Scotch Malesela from Mogalakwena, honoured more than 30 initiates with certificates for going ahead with their decisions to be circumcised in the traditional African way.

The colourful ceremony was held at Mosesetjane in the Mogalakwena area last Saturday.

Malesela said he was proud of the boys because, due to inexperienced, unqualified bush surgeons, these schools were in danger of being closed down.

“We teach our boys to be responsible and respect women and children. There is no traditional leader who can teach boys to abuse women and children.

“We also condemn head boys who have the tendency to beat others with sticks. I’m an African and as such should preserve my culture,” he said.

“Parents shouldn’t have any fears. We give the boys nutritional food and clean water at the bush school.

“Great care was taken to keep them healthy and well. “In 2011, I was helped by a local farmer, Nic Oberholzer from Oorlogsfontein, who pumped water to the initiation school and provided them with food,” he said.

“In 2010, I took a TV set to the bush school for initiates to watch the Fifa Soccer World Cup,” he said, explaining that he had not wanted the boys to long for their TVs at home. “Bush school was their second home,” he said.

“I also handed over certificates to the girls who attended the female initiation school,” Malesela added.