Cultural Affairs and Sport

1. Yes, the information has been communicated to the relevant stakeholders. In the meeting held with stakeholders of the cultural male rite of passage the following was communicated;

• The country is in a resurgence and urge everyone should adhere to protective behaviours as a key driver to contain the third COVID-19 wave.
• The peak of the third wave is dependent on the strength of our behaviour over the coming weeks.
• The preparation for the third wave is on full swing and that a whole of government and whole of society response is required to flatten the third wave.

• Based on an advisory issued by the Provincial Department of Health the day before the meeting, it was recommended that in the interest of safety for prospective initiates, stakeholders as well as the broader Western Cape, that consideration be given that Initiation resume after the third wave instead of at the beginning of the third wave.
• The end of the of the third wave will be determined by the trend in new infections, we will monitor and advise as soon as we receive clearance to proceed.
• Emphasis was put on the fact that the Department appreciated that it was a difficult decision for the stakeholders to make, considering that parents have prepared, but it was also highlighted that the risks far outweighed deferring to proceed at a later stage.

2. A virtual meeting was held on the 27 May 2021, a day after the Advisory was issued by the Department of Health. The meeting was held with Traditional Surgeons, Initiation Forum members, PICC members, Initiation Reference Committee, leaders and carers. The purpose of the meeting was to convey the advisory from the Provincial Department of Health, which is as follows; that the winter initiation season be postponed by one month or till the end of the third wave.
3. All relevant stakeholders were invited from Traditional Leaders, Initiation forums to Initiation Reference Committee. Of the 26 that confirmed to attend, a total of 17 persons attended, with 13 of these being representatives from the Customary Male Initiation fraternity and 4 being government officials as follows:

Government Officials:

1. Dr Ziyanda Vundle (DOH),
2. Mr Ferdinand Bomvana (DOH),
3. Mr Guy Redman (DCAS),
4. Mr Clement Williams (DCAS),

Customary Initiation Stakeholders:

1. Mr Bandile Mangisa (Langa),
2. Mr Mandla Mlambo (Langa),
3. Mr Madoda Mabuto (Langa), 
4. Mr Sidwell Fonk (Worcester / Reference Committee),
5. Mr Sikelela Zokufa (Gugulethu),
6. Mr Prince Joko (Gugulethu),
7. Mr Siyo (Gugulethu),
8. Mr Damane (Gugulethu),
9. Mr Mark Khoabane (Nyanga),
10. Mr Zukile Jama (Initiation Reference Committee),
11. Mr Danile Jacobs (Beaufort West),
12. Mr C (name not clearly identified on platform and the person did not introduce himself during introductions) 
13. Mr Victor Note (Swellendam).

2.whether traditional leaders were consulted before this decision was made; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the relevant details and (b) can a detailed list of the traditional leaders consulted be provided?

a.The Department communicates through Mr Nokwaza (Chairperson of Initiation Reference Committee and a Traditional Leader) for all communication relating to Traditional Leaders. He has a weekly meeting with Traditional Leaders every Wednesday. Mr Nokwaza was contacted via email on the 25^th and the 26^th of May 2021. The leaders copied in the email were Mr Mthotywa, Mr Damane, Mr Khoabane, Mr Galada and Mr Tiya. The email communicated the following:

1. 1. It was communicated that the Department of Health had now officially confirmed that Western Cape was in a resurgence and that the advisory from the Department of Health in respect to initiation was that the practice be delayed to after the 3^rd wave.
2. 2. Mr Nokwaza was asked to address this matter in his Wednesday meeting with Traditional Leaders for their inputs. This would be followed by consultations with all stakeholders which subsequently took place on the 27^th May 2021.
3. 3. The Department expressed that it appreciated that this was not what families were looking forward to, and that in the interest of the safety of all stakeholders especially the prospective initiates, as well as the broader Western Cape community, it was in everyone best interest and the responsible action to resume after the 3rd wave.