No more circumcision secrets, promises SABC

By LULAMILE FENI

Traditional Affairs Reporter

THE SABC last night bowed to pressure from traditional leaders and others and took the mini-series about traditional circumcision, Umthunzi Wentaba, off air.

The third episode in the series was to be screened on SABC1 tonight.

The move comes after traditional leaders and cultural rights activists reacted with rage over last week’s programme, which they claimed dishonoured a sacred cultural practice of African people by revealing graphic details that have long been shrouded in secrecy.

They claimed the mini-series had also “distorted” the issue, and lodged complaints with SABC bosses, demanding the mini-series be withdrawn.

SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago last night told the Daily Dispatch that management had yesterday morning taken a decision to “re-schedule” the last two episodes after “a number of concerned people, organisations, traditional leaders, the National Heritage Council and many individuals raised their concerns”.

The SABC would now “be engaging all stakeholders through radio, meetings with traditional leaders and communities ... and concerned members of the public on this matter”.

“This will culminate in a one-hour discussion that will be held on April 5 – the slot originally scheduled for part four of Umthunzi Wentaba,” said Kganyago in a statement.

Asked whether “re-scheduled” meant suspended or withdrawn, he said: “I would rather use the correct broadcast term, “re-scheduled”.

Set in the mountains of the Eastern Cape, Umthunzi Wentaba tells the story of Ndoda – a young man on a journey to manhood, as is customary by the amaXhosa.

Kganyago said the series was “part of SABC drama strategy to provide content that examines the human experience, reflects the greatness of our continent, affirms us, is probing, and uses a historical and/or contemporary context”.

“In line with this, we are probing and asking questions whilst supporting an African sensibility.” He said the SABC took the issue of culture, representation and authenticity “very seriously”.

“In line with our organisational value of ‘Conversations and Partnerships’, it is important that dialogue takes place with viewers for them to express their opinions,” he said.

Earlier this week, the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa, the national and provincial House of Traditional Leaders and the National Heritage Council contacted SABC chief Dali Mpofu and Mvuzo Mbebe, group executive of the SABC’s Content Enterprise, to protest against the programme.

Told of the SABC’s decision, Holomisa said: “I am thrilled. Their decision makes us feel that SABC is an organ of people that listens to people.”

See Opinion, page 9