HLENGIWE Ndlazi (27) from Braamfischer, Soweto has formed an organisation to educate young girls about the importance of staying pure as intombi and teaching them hand work.
After four years of being in operation, Siyakhula Youth Development was officially launched on Saturday, 26 November with the aim of raising awareness on gender-based violence and educating the youth about the importance of culture and ubuntombi.
More than 100 maidens made their way to Braamfischer Cricket Oval in Soweto. Before the launch ukuhlolwa kwe ntombi was performed and the virgins were marked with a white dot of purity on the forehead.
The girls from the ages of eight and older proceeded to dance after they were tested.
The organisation was formed by Hlengiwe, who unfortunately fell pregnant when she was 17.
“Through this launch, we are making people know that we still have girls who are virgins. We teach the young ones how a girl should behave and urge them to not have sex until they are fully matured and ready,” said Hlengiwe.
Percy Zwane told Daily Sun that they encourage girls to take pride in their virginity while preserving their culture and heritage practices their ancestors left them.
“We encourage abstinence and sexual responsibility among young girls while also educating them about teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases,” said Percy.
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Anele Zwane (21) said her parents are proud of her and will be celebrating her milestone through umemulo in December.
“I’m happy that I have kept a promise I made to myself about staying pure. There are challenges but I succeeded because I had my eyes fixed on the important issues,” she said.
