VANDERBIJLPARK – From as young as 10 years, Teboho Mabote has been part of an amatshitshi [virgins] group undergoing the traditional way of coming-of-age ritual that honours a girl’s purity and transition to womanhood.

On December 2, the 21-year-old marked the end of her journey as she celebrated her birthday.
The following day, Teboho and scores of her maids decorated the streets of Vanderbijlpark and Sharpeville as she undertook a ritual to fetch her spear, a sign that she had graduated in her route.

Walking somewhat bare-breasted, holding several lunch boxes filled with food, soft drinks, and traditional and modern beer as a sign of gifting her grandparents, this is what dozens of bystanders witnessed along Rafube Street.

Singing, ululation, and later switching to festivities of traditional dance, these are some of the activities that took place at Teboho’s maternal home.

Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, Sheila Mabote, Teboho’s mother, said she was over the moon to witness her daughter’s ceremony.

“I’m proud of Teboho for having gone through this process. She has set a precedent for two of her sisters. Nowadays, young girls don’t undergo this rite of passage because they are too modernised,” she said.

“From her young days, Teboho has always been interested in this process. We did our research and found a perfect group to help her in her journey. Seeing her still saving herself and making us proud by getting an education makes me happy as a mother,” she said.

Virgin keeper, Lisa Simelane, explained the ritual her virgins took part in.

“This process of fetching a spear from Teboho’s grandparents’ home is an age-old way of asking for a blessing as her big celebratory day of umemulo is happening over the weekend. This is like a prayer for a virgin, fused with fasting until the same spear is used to stab her cow,” she said.

Speaking on the bashing of the age-old tradition, Simelane explained where the tradition emanates from.

“We’ve had people bash our virgins, claiming that we are embarking on fake ceremonies. This traditional way of doing things is still very much alive, and we practice the only truthful way we know,” she said.