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Councillors restore dignity for 35 initiates

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After four weeks of undergoing the rite of passage to manhood, 35 young men from Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality were welcomed back home during a celebratory and jubilant home coming event at Nangoza Jobe Hall in New Brighton.

During the first of its kind Mgidi celebration in the City, hundreds of residents and visitors celebrated with song and dance, including Eastern Cape Premier Honourable Oscar Mabuyane who pledged to support the young men to further their studies to build a better future for themselves and families.

The event was organised by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, with R400 000 invested from the Ward Councillors’ Humanitarian grant to finance their traditional initiation journey after their homes were identified as indigent beneficiaries.

With the youngest aged 18 and the oldest aged 52 years, NMBM Deputy Mayor, Cllr Mkhuseli Jack said the psychological impact of Ulwaluko in young men could not be ignored and needed a societal intervention to curb any mental health issues within society.

“We are happy to be here today. It is truly a great day as we have all come together to build these men who will be leaders tomorrow. The journey does not end here, we are building the leaders of tomorrow. We want to thank the Ward Councillors who played a crucial role from the first day up to today. These young men will make a pledge to not abuse women and children, to stay away from drugs and alcohol abuse and all these social ills we are faced with,” said Deputy Mayor Jack.

Premier Mabuyane said the young men will be able to walk tall in their community knowing that they too were able to celebrate their homecoming and received meaningful gifts.

“When I received the invite to attend this programme, I was emotionally moved by the gesture shown by the Ward Councillors hence I decided on the spot to be part of this noble cause. This gives us a platform to empower the young men with words of wisdom as they enter the next phase of their lives, a very important phase where they are now men and not boys anymore.”

“I can tell you now, what you have done for these young men will never be erased from their minds. I foresee some of them if not all of them emulating the love this community has shown to them to others in the future. At all times as adults and leaders we must educate by showing more than we do by talking,” Mabuyane said.

Parent Nompiliso Ntlanganiso said she was ecstatic following the celebrations.

“My son is 22 years. I had no plan of how I would make it possible for him to go through Ulwaluko. I am unemployed, I am an orphan and although I have family, they were unable to help me. So this really means alot to me. I am grateful.”

Ulwaluko Initiates
Ulwaluko Initiates

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.