“Circumcisions are symbols of traditional customs,” said the chairperson of Munna ndi nnyi Men´s Forum”, Mr Badwell Mufunwaini, when he addressed traditional leaders in Kutama a fortnight ago.

Mufunwaini said they conducted campaigns and workshops with different traditional leaders around Vhembe. ”We have a well-trained team which will go to different areas around Vhembe, educating the community about their culture, health issues and promoting a healthy lifestyle. We work together with traditional leaders,” said Mufunwaini.

He said their main aim was to help in establishing good morals and promoting safe circumcision for young boys in the community. ”We are also working well with different organisations, to encourage young men to participate in HIV/Aids issues." The spokesperson of the Kutama royal council, Mr Gilbert Muofhe, said they were over the moon with the whole programme, because it taught people how to respect their culture.

Muofhe said that people should be educated properly since circumcisions were symbols of the traditional custom, aimed at taking young boys to manhood.