Economic Challenges for Initiates

The cost of initiation presents a substantial challenge. Though many migrated to cities in hopes of employment and an improved standard of living, many have not been able to reach their financial goal. Many people in informal settlements have to work hard to earn a living each day; few have a stable source of income and the cost of the ritual lays a considerable financial burden upon them (Paton, 2010).  The former Eastern Cape health minister Dr. Bevan Goquwana stated that, “The main problem is that the whole thing has now been commercialized and people are making money out of the tradition” (Kepe, 2010).

In an interview with a resident of Khayelitsha that had gone through initiation, he describes how essential traditional amenities must be in order before being allowed to go through the ritual. The initiation ritual typically costs between R6000 to R8000 (Groce, Mawar, & Macnamara, 2006). The slaughter of a goat, the feast after initiation, and the cost of the surgeon and nurses constitute a significant portion of the expenses. Traditionally in rural areas, the surgeon, the traditional nurses (ikhankatha), conduct the ritual as a service to their community. They are usually given a portion of the meat from the feast as a token of appreciation from the initiate’ family; however, this action is less common in the urban initiation schools. According to statistics, in 2003 the surgeons and traditional nurses charged between R100 and R200 for each initiate (1US$=R8 in 2003). Today, R400 and a bottle of Commando Brandy is a commonly accepted payment by a surgeon in the Western Cape.  This fee varies from place to place and is still rising gradually. (Kepe, 2010)

Some initiates have to save money for years to be able to go through the process.  Many of the initiates who cannot afford the high price choose to go to informal initiation schools, which it is hard for government to regulate. The informal initiation schools put initiates’ lives at risk when they hire uncertified traditional surgeons who claim to be skilled surgeons (Kepe, 2010). Other times, if the family of the initiate does not have the means to pay, their son may not be initiated.

The cost of initiation presents another substantial challenge. Though many migrated to cities in hopes of employment and an improved standard of living, many have not been able to reach their financial goal. Many people in informal settlements have to work hard to earn a living each day; few have a stable source of income and the cost of the ritual lays a considerable financial burden upon them (Paton, 2010).  The former Eastern Cape health minister Dr. Bevan Goquwana stated that, “The main problem is that the whole thing has now been commercialized and people are making money out of the tradition” (Kepe, 2010).

In an interview with a resident of Khayelitsha that had gone through initiation, he describes how essential traditional amenities must be in order before being allowed to go through the ritual. The initiation ritual typically costs between R6000 to R8000 (Groce, Mawar, & Macnamara, 2006). The slaughter of a goat, the feast after initiation, and the cost of the surgeon and nurses constitute a significant portion of the expenses. Traditionally in rural areas, the surgeon, the traditional nurses (ikhankatha), conduct the ritual as a service to their community. They are usually given a portion of the meat from the feast as a token of appreciation from the initiate’ family; however, this action is less common in the urban initiation schools. According to statistics, in 2003 the surgeons and traditional nurses charged between R100 and R200 for each initiate (1US$=R8 in 2003). Today, R400 and a bottle of Commando Brandy is a commonly accepted payment by a surgeon in the Western Cape.  This fee varies from place to place and is still rising gradually. (Kepe, 2010)

Some initiates have to save money for years to be able to go through the process.  Many of the initiates who cannot afford the high price choose to go to informal initiation schools, which it is hard for government to regulate. The informal initiation schools put initiates’ lives at risk when they hire uncertified traditional surgeons who claim to be skilled surgeons (Kepe, 2010). Other times, if the family of the initiate does not have the means to pay, their son may not be initiated.