Angst over virginity testing directive

A CULTURAL clash is looming once again between the government and Zulu culturists over the virginity testing of young girls in KwaZulu-Natal following the directive of the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL), which now prevents the practice on girls below age 16.

- WILLEM PHUNGULA

With the annual Reed Dance ceremony months away, the new directive has added to the angst of cultural heads.

The commission's chairperson Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva met Social Development MEC Mbali Shinga last week and directed that the testing of maidens below 16 was illegal and should be stopped.

But culturists have dug in their heels and vowed to defy the directive.

Dr Nomagugu Ngobese, the founder of Nombukhubulwane Institute, a cultural body advocating for the preservation of African cultural practice was adamant that the practice will continue and will not be stopped.