INITIATES have made a pledge to be good citizens who will protect women and children.
The 2022 Ndebele initiates of the SoGutjhe Royal House in Phola Location in Mpumalanga signed a pledge against gender-based violence (GBV) and crime during their homecoming on Friday, 1 July.
The royal house said they sent 74 initiates to the initiation school in April and all of them came back safe and healthy. The signing of the anti-GBV and anti-crime pledge was led by Ikosi Sipho Mahlangu.
He said the royal house was pleased that there were no injuries reported and all initiates came back well and healthy.
He said the groundbreaking initiative was aimed at educating the initiates on the importance of protecting young girls and women in the face of the rising number of abductions. “Young men can play a crucial role in the fight against crime within their communities.”
One of the initiates, Sibusiso “Msweswe”Mahlangu (25), said: “As we take this pledge, we vow to be the change that is needed in our community and show others that great men don’t abuse women but protect them.”
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We went there as boys and now we are men who promise to protect our women and children. We will fight against any form of Gender-based Violence.
“We were also taught to stay away from drugs and crime.” he said.
Queen MaThulisiwe Mahlangu said the royal house plans to work with the police to educate young men and boys about the social ills in their community.
She said the chief will be active and engage with the boys.
“We can’t wait for the next initiation programme to teach our boys about how they should behave. We will now start going to schools so that when initiation comes around again, they will know what it is expected of them.”
The initiative is a partnership with Emalahleni Local Municipality and Phola-Ogies police.
Emalahleni Mayor Councillor Conny Nkalitshana will also sign the pledge today, 4 July.
