South Africa
South Africa, formally known as the Republic of South Africa, is a country located at the extreme southern end of the continent of Africa. It has a coastline on both the Atlantic and Indian oceans.
South Africa has a diverse population of more than 62 million, with 12 official languages. English is considered the official language.
South Africa was colonized by the Dutch and by the English, so there is a minority of European origin.
There is also a small minority of Asians from China and India.
The 80 percent black African majority includes the Zulus at 24 percent and the Xhosas at 16 percent.
Contents
Constitutional protection for traditional culture
It has been thought necessary to provide Constitutional protection for the traditional culture that coexists with contemporary culture. Articles 30 & 31 of the Constitution of South Africa (1996), found in Chapter 2 (Bill of Rights), provide special protection for traditional rights. Section 30 provides that "everyone has the right to use the language and to participate in the cultural life of their choice,…". Section 31 provides protection for "cultural, religious and linguistic communities".[1]
Participation in traditional circumcision is protected by these rights, so government is limited in what it can do to lessen the mutilation caused by traditional circumcision, also known as ulwaluko.
Protection of boys in circumcision schools
The provincial legislature of Eastern Cape Province has enacted the Application of Health Standards in Traditional Circumcision Act (2001). Also, the legislature of Limpopo Province has enacted the Limpopo Initiation Schools Act (2016).[2]
The Traditional Leaders (2010) argued that introduction of health standards would interfere with the traditional practice of initiation.[3]
Douglas & Maluleke (2016) argued that provision of adequate clean water to initiates would prevent deaths by dehydration.[4]
The prevalence of circumcision
The World Population Review estimates the prevalence of circumcision in South Africa to be 44.7 percent.[5]
See also
External links
Wikipedia article: South Africa
References
- ↑
Constitution of South Africa 
, Republic of South Africa. (18 December 1996). Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ↑ Limpopo Initiation Schools Act, 2016, Limpopo Legislature. (27 June 2017). Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ↑
Kepe T. Secrets’ that kill: Crisis, custodianship and responsibility in ritual male circumcision in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Soc Sci Med. March 2010; 70(5): 729-35. PMID. DOI. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ↑ Douglas M, Maluleke TX. Traditional Male Circumcision: Ways to Prevent Deaths Due to Dehydration. American Journal of Men's Health. 1 February 2016; PMID. PMC. DOI. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
Quote:The mean number of traditional initiates recorded between 2006 and 2011 for the entire Eastern Cape was about 52,668 per year.
- ↑ Anonymous (2016).
Circumcision by Country 2024
, World Population Review. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
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