adminWalter Mswazie recently in Mwenezi
The Shangaan community in Mwenezi District denies any cultural interference by health organisations during their initiation ceremonies under the voluntary medical male circumcision programmes that run yearly.
Speaking during the graduation of 376 Shangaan initiates who successfully underwent a one-month long initiation and voluntary medical male circumcision at Nyangambi Turf Primary School in Mwenezi West recently, Mr Ernest Chitanga, who was representing Chief Chitanga (Mr Felani Chauke) said there were misconceptions that the involvement of organisations in the circumcision of Shangaans interfered with their cultural rites.
Mr Chitanga urged Government to criminalise the use of knives and other blunt objects in circumcision by some cultural groups.
“I want to invite all people who may want to partake in our cultural initiation to come forward, as there is no interference by the Ministry of Health and Child Care or Population Service in Zimbabwe (PSI),” said Mr Chitanga.
He said the relationship between health organisations and Shangaan cultural groups was mutual as there was an appreciation of medical male circumcision.
“I am appealing to the Government to put a clause in the Constitution which forbids cultural groups who do circumcision from using one instrument in conducting circumcision,” said Mr Chitanga.
“Anyone found using a single razor blade should be arrested and taken to court, as such people negate the Government’s efforts of reducing HIV and Aids transmission among citizens.”
PSI Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision provincial manager Mr Roland Timbe hailed chiefs in Mwenezi and Chiredzi for accepting safe ways of conducting circumcision as this prevented the transmission of diseases.
“We have circumcised 376 clients at Nyangambi Turf camp and we also circumcised other 60 clients at Sesonye camp in the same constituency,” said Mr Timbe.
“Traditional leaders in Mwenezi and Chiredzi where we are conducting voluntary medical male circumcision, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Child Care, are doing us proud. I am happy Chief Chitanga has allayed fears of interference in Shangaan culture as we have maintained our distance from their rites.”
Mr Timbe called on other tribes willing to partake in the initiation practice to avail themselves, saying the cultural practice was open to everyone prepared to abide by the Shangaan rules.
Mwenezi District Administrator Ms Rosemary Chingwe hailed Shangaan people for assisting the Government in its effort to reduce HIV and Aids transmission.
“I want to thank the Shangaan people for religiously following a cultural practice, which makes them clean,” she said.
“We know that circumcision and initiation is biblical as those who were not circumcised during that era were said to be unclean.
“Shangaan people are clean, but we encourage you to remain faithful to your partners and ensure that you get tested for HIV, especially when you want to get married.”
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter