Before civilization and the introduction of Western culture in South Africa, we were rooted in nature, spirituality, traditions, and customs and honored our heritage. Things started to change when we succumbed to the pressures of adopting Western cultures. Of course, we know some of these colonial traditions were imposed on us; therefore, we had no choice but to leave ours and adopt theirs. Western culture started by building Western medical centers that offer contraceptives to young girls should they feel ready to engage in sexual intercourse. That strategy was to say that any young girl can engage in sexual intercourse but avoid pregnancy.
Western laws disputed our traditional ways and gave young children rights. One of those rights was that a young girl could dispute to do anything they were not comfortable with, including being checked if they were still virgins. That was the death of our traditions, particularly ‘’Inkciyo’’ in isiXhosa. Consequently, young girls live their lives anyhow, and their parents have no say because they have the right to do what they want.
However, young girls have stood up for their previously suppressed and diminished traditions and customs in recent years, claiming back their identity and good traditions. Eastern Cape was the most colonized province, and still picking up the pieces, the Xhosa nation seems closer to completing its puzzle. We used to watch KwaZulu-Natal leading anything related to tradition, but now the tables have turned; the Xhosa nation has woken up from the dead, the mist has been removed from their eyes, and they have risen.
The past Saturday, 15 June 2024, is a testament to the Xhosa nation returning to its roots. Buyelembo Nkciyo, led by Namhla Tanana, held a Farewell at Gqubeni Great Place, where they were sending goodbyes to Namhla, their leader who is transcending to marriage. Namhla is a 26-year-old woman who kept her body sacred until she was asked for marriage by an intentional man, Mr. Philani Mziba. This event was a celebratory event of her journey as a virgin and a blessing to her as she now will be a married woman.
Namhla Tanana not only prides herself on her virginity but is also a well-educated individual. She attended Dalinyebo High School, where she matriculated and proceeded to further her studies at the University of Forthare, where she obtained her Bachelor of Social Sciences, majoring in psychology. She also holds a postgraduate certificate from Rhodes University. She is now a permanent educator at Mpozolo S.S.S in Willowvale.
Namhla started the journey of Inkciyo in 2012 when she was doing grade Eight at Phangindlela J.S.S in Mqanduli. She was encouraged by her Life Orientation teacher, Miss Mditshane. She held on to it until she realized that so many girls were interested in joining the organization, and they were dependent on organizations far from their hometown. She then established Buyelembo Nkciyo with the assistance of parents and other members who are now part of the governing structure. Part of the reasons for establishing it was the high rate of teenage pregnancy and school dropouts due to adolescent pressures.
Buyelembo was established in 2023 and had its introductory event on the 16 of December, 2023. Since then, membership has grown to 400, with over 350 participating in the camps. Indeed, the nation is being restored; the parents support this initiative financially and through sacrificial efforts such as cooking for the children for the entire days of the camp. With all the pressure of the world and the pressure of being young, Namhla has survived through self-awareness, fearing the creator, and obeying her parent's commandments. Self-respect, having direction, and drawing the map of your life are some of the things that helped Namhla escape youth pressures, she said.
The government does not fund the organization at the moment. Still, they are looking for any department keen to support this initiative to assist them financially as they self-fund the organization. She believes that the government should lend a hand because they are restoring a black person and contributing immensely to teenage pregnancy prevention. Despite the government not supporting them, Gqubeni Great Place, led by Nkosi Dudumayo Dalisizwe, has partnered with Buyelembo Nkciyo to assist them with their camps, said Namhla.
As one of the organization's founders, she envisions Buyelembo Nkciyo as the provincial organization with sports and many more activities in the next five years. She also touched on the hidden agendas that people may have in organizations such as these; she said she envisions Buyelembo as an organization for all, not hers but for anyone who wants to help the organization grow and not make it a money-making machine.
She encouraged the youth by saying, ''Youth, love yourself, believe in yourself, plant a seed that will blossom and bear fruits, not for you only but for those who will come after you so they can learn from you.''. She ended by saying, ''Your child is mine.'' Attesting to the saying, ''It takes a village to raise a child.'' indeed, our traditions and African ways are restored.
Anyone wanting to join Buyelembo Nkciyo can visit their Facebook page, Buyelembo Nkciyo. This organization currently accepts young girls from Mqanduli, Mthatha, and Port St Johns but aims to broaden its borders to all areas in the Eastern Cape.
Here is the link to join the organization:
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