ABOUT 168 boys went to the mountain to become men.
The new initiates left the comfort of their homes on Saturday, 6 May, and spent six weeks braving all kinds of weather to become men.
They returned on Friday, 16 June, and were welcomed by Chief Solly Nkoana at his royal kraal in Mandela Village near Kwamhlanga, Mpumalanga.
The chief warned the young men against the use of drugs and alcohol. He also thanked his ancestors for protecting the boys.
"The initiation began in 1977, and under my leadership there has never been a death. I thank the Almighty and the ancestors for keeping the initiates safe. They have all returned safe and sound," said the chief.
"I urge the young men to live by the teachings they received from the mountain. They must respect their elders. They must stay away from alcohol and drug abuse. They must go back to school to learn so that they can have a good future. They must not bully other kids in school. Initiation is the same no matter what tribe you belong to."
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Mhlekwa Mahlangu of the Department of Health said they made sure all the boys were screened before they were admitted to initiation schools.
"We have done our job to make sure they do not have any health complications before they go to the mountains. Now they are real men and they have to respect everyone," he said.
Jacky Motlhake, chairperson of Moshate's National Initiation Forum, said a good job had been done.
"These young men must be an example for those who still have initiation ahead of them. They need to gain respect wherever they go. Culture is the key for everyone," Motlhake said.
New initiates Skhumbuzo Kabini (19) and Lethabo Leshika (13) said they were glad to have taken part in their culture.
"It's a very good thing that I am a man now. I love my culture. It's a phase every young man has to go through," Skhumbuzo said.
