Punishing Grade 11 sangoma ‘unfair’

If schools allow pupils to observe anti-African practices such as Valentine’s Day, they should be allowed to practice African traditional religion.

This is according to Monde Ciko, chairman of the Abamphembeleli Benkolo Kantu.

The organisation that advocates for the right to freely practice African traditional religion has accused the department of education of unfair discrimination against their religion in schools.

The accusations come after a schoolgoing Ngcobo trainee sangoma was suspended for two weeks from her Nyanga High School hostel for practising rituals.

According to an earlier report in the Daily Dispatch, the ritual performed by the 16-year-old Grade 11 pupil included burning dagga and impepho (incense) to heal a fellow pupil.

The pupil’s punishment sparked outrage among traditionalists and traditional healers, who labelled the suspension as discrimination against the values and beliefs entrenched in African religion.

Ciko said the recent incident was proof that the department of education did not value their tradition as much as it did other traditions.

“We have been greatly disturbed by what has happened at Nyanga High School. This vindicates our claims that the department of education unfairly discriminates against African traditional religion.

“What is disappointing is that the department keeps on denying this while the writing is on the wall.

“Most of the schools are still conducting compulsory morning devotions, some force pupils to attend weekly church services during learning and teaching time.

“Most of the schools force pupils to participate in anti-African religious practices like Valentine’s Day celebrations,” said Ciko.

Provincial education spokesman Mali Mtima said there had been many versions of what had really happened, which prompted the department to step up its investigation.

“I can confirm that a pupil was suspended for two weeks from the hostel in Nyanga High School, but never excluded from tuition.

“The initial report we got was that she was found smoking dagga in the school dormitory at the hostel.

“Now there are allegations that the same pupil cured a sick fellow pupil though religious methods without permission from either the principal or the parent,” said Mtima.

The department fully supported the promotion of all religions, including African religion, in schools, Mtima added.

“However, pupils should first obtain permission from the school principal before conducting any religious rituals – be they prayer or whatever,” he said. — arethal@dispatch.co.za