Cultural Affairs and Sport
Question by:
Hon Lennit Max
Answered by:
Hon Anroux Marais
Question Number:
1
Question Body:
What is her Department doing to increase the number of formal agreements with municipalities about the utilisation of land for the purpose of initiation practices?
Answer Body:
- In order to increase the number of agreements with municipalities about the utilization of land for purpose of initiation practices, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sports performs a facilitatory role.
- To date, the Department has facilitated the development of and capacitation of 33 Initiation Forums. The Initiation Forum are community based structures that coordinate activities regarding cultural initiation practice in the respective communities where initiation is practised. They are made up of individuals and institutions that have a direct stake or impact on the practice of traditional male initiation, including traditional leaders who are the custodian of the practice nationally.
- In terms of Clause 8.1.9 of the Western Cape Initiation Framework and Protocol, “Initiation is practiced within the boundaries of municipalities. Municipalities are to ensure the provision of the necessary infrastructure, such as land, clean water and sites for initiation. Agreements should be entered into with groups/individuals responsible for initiation (Initiation Forums), as well as for land to be zoned appropriately.”
- DCAS also facilitates the activities of the Provincial Initiation Coordination Committee (PICC) which also includes amongst other government agencies, representation from all affected Municipalities. Matters relating to land and agreements between land owners and Initiation Forums are discussed in this forum and this has over the years resulted significant success such the Stellenbosch Municipality which has gone as far as promulgating bylaws relating to the practice.
- The Department meets regularly with Municipalities to explore various ways of meeting the land requirements of Initiation Forums. In the current period the Department will be meeting with Municipalities during the second quarter of the financial year 2018/19:
Date:
Friday, June 15, 2018
