SEBOKENG – After spending a month in the bushes, dozens of young men who went into initiation with a clarion call made their way back home and reunited with their families.
On Friday, December 28, about 23 initiates descended the Kuilspruit mountains just outside Polokong, where they had braved unbearable conditions, heavy rainfalls, and scorching sun in a quest to become men.
Parading through the streets of Zone 10, the men who wore nothing but their undies, marched to their initiation chiefs’ home, where they spent the night in a small garage.
On Saturday as dawn broke on the chilly morning, dozens of barefoot initiates gathered to prepare for their all-day ceremony as they patiently waited to reunite with their families.
Shortly after their rituals, soaked in their red clay pigment and oil, the chanting boys left for Sebokeng, Sharpeville, and other townships to start their lives as men.
Ululations and tears of joy were the order of the day as a heartfelt tradition unfolded when families, relatives, and friends met these men for the first time in months.
Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, initiation chief, Collen Mokoena explained the aim of partaking in initiation in an age where the age-old traditions seem to be fading away.
“We took from one of the oldest initiation surgeons ‘Ntate Neo Majantja Motloung’ and we making sure we continuing with his legacy and what he stood for. Ours is to give tradition dignity and the image in an age where many seem to be losing the grip,” he said.
Glared in a different style of blankies and decorations, Mokoena detailed why the change in stylishness.
“We bringing something new in terms of style, however, the tradition remains the same. Our team fused some of the Lesotho way of dressing, which is where the culture of initiation resonates. It is just to give order to what we do,” he added.
A proud mother, Mimi Molotsi shared her jubilation following the homecoming of her son.
“I chose this lekgotla ‘initiation home’ because of the order I have seen in the past. Seeing my son and nephew back in one piece means a lot to me. We can still give hope to this old tradition because some initiation camps still maintain the dignity,” she said.
