WATCH: Izintombi zikaShameni celebrate a symbol of purity and cultural pride
The ceremony promotes respect for young girls and encourages the preservation of traditional moral values within the community.
On December 7, a vibrant and colourful Izintombi zikaShameni year-end ceremony was held to honour young girls for their dedication and loyalty in preserving their purity.
The ceremony, organised by Gogo Thoko Mthembu, saw parents and relatives fill the Hoërskool Die Fakkel hall in celebration of the girls.
They received certificates for completing disciplines such as the preservation of virginity, morally acceptable behaviour, acknowledgement of cultural background and identity, social and environmental awareness, assertiveness and communication skills.
@southern.courierOn December 7, a vibrant and colourful Izintombi zikaShameni year-end ceremony was held to honour young girls for their dedication and loyalty in preserving their purity. The ceremony, organised by Gogo Thoko Mthembu, saw parents and relatives fill the Hoërskool Die Fakkel hall in celebration of the girls.
The girls were also honoured for their grace, dignity and strength in traditional ceremonies, as well as for upholding traditional values of purity, respect and community. They were a central part of the celebration, performing song and dance for the guests.
Encouraging the girls, Thokoza Sotshangaye expressed her appreciation for the institution, noting that the girls are taught differently from conventional schools.
“We thank Gogo Thoko Mthembu and her team for this wonderful work, and we thank the parents and the girls. Although some girls see this as backward, this is the real and noble thing to do. I was once an intombi, and I know what I’m talking about.
“You need to be proud of yourselves. Yes, you will have challenges, but you need to persevere. There will be friends who will want to lead you astray; however, you need to stay the course and be true to yourselves,” she said.
Mthembu acknowledged the dedication and participation of the young girls and said she is proud of their achievements.
“Thank you so much to the parents of the girls in Turffontein for trusting me with their children. We had a great relationship from the beginning of the year until now. As we close this year, we will meet again in February next year.
“Again, I would like to thank the principal of Turffontein Primary, Pexie Jafta, for the relentless help she gave us, from giving us the hall to practise in to general support. She has been great to us,” she said.
