Somagwaza Institute in Gugulethu has urged the parents of initiates to put their fears aside and stop stressing about the construction that is happening at the initiation site near Stock Road Railway Station in Lower Crossroads.
Somagwaza is a non-profit organisation focused on preserving and conserving the tradition of the initiation custom.
Founder Sikelela Zokufa stated the organisation is still going to utilise the land as its initiation site during the winter and summer seasons even though the Eskom (land owner) fenced it. He said they have an agreement with Eskom to access it until further notice.
“The parents mustn’t stress too much. Everything is going well. The initiation site is still open for us to use it. I know they are worried now that they are seeing there is construction on the site. It is going to have an entrance for us to access the area,” he explained.
He stated that Eskom is going to construct a substation on the site in future.
Zokufa stated that the registration for boys who are going to the mountain during the winter season has already started.
He said those who want to register can go to Fezeka Secondary School every Wednesday between 17: 00 and 19:00.
In a statement, Eskom stated the National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA), has a long-standing engagement with the Somagwaza, and is well aware of the Institute’s use of the NTCSA owned land south of the Joe Gqabi railway station. “The planned Erica substation will be constructed on the southern portion of this site. This site is required for the development of this key national asset. The established boundary wall constitutes the first stage of this development.
A large portion of the site within the walled area, which also contains a wetland, will not be developed as part of the project, but needs to be preserved for future expansion. The NTCSA has no plans to unnecessarily interfere with the continued use of the land by the Somagwaza Institute, and as such, does not foresee any interruption of the continuation of the Institutes activities on the site,” read the statement.
It said while the construction of the substation may lead to some challenges the NTCSA is committed to work together with the local community to minimise any disruptions.