SABC Pulls Show Revealing Secrets (and horrors) of Xhosa Initiation Rituals

[Skeptik]

April 02 2007 at 04:51AM

By Dianne Hawker and Ntomboxolo Makoba

An SABC drama depicting Xhosa circumcision rites has been taken off air after causing a furore among traditional leaders, who say the programme infringes on a sacred tradition.

The Freedom of Expression Institute has questioned the public broadcaster's subsequent decision to remove the programme from TV, saying the SABC is allowing censorship.

The first two episodes of the show, Emthunzi we Ntaba, were aired on SABC 1, but the show was discontinued last week after complaints from the National Heritage Council and traditional leaders.

Critics said the show revealed initiation rites which were meant to be secret, particularly from women.

The programme has also sparked email threats from Xhosa men and women around the country.

But in a statement, the institute said the SABC could not be expected to compromise its "freedom of expression and... creative programming independence".

"It is a principle of broadcasting that once a film has been scheduled, it should not be withdrawn because such withdrawal constitutes censorship," read the statement.

Chairperson of the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders, Nkosi Ngangomhlaba Matanzima, said traditional leaders had met the SABC early last week.

He said a follow-up meeting was scheduled for today to discuss the future of the series, which he said traditional leaders demanded be banned. Referring to the second episode in which boys were circumcised with the same blade, he said the series was confusing people.

A statement on the National Heritage Council's website said the council was concerned about the content of the show.

Last Thursday during a discussion on the programme, the series' executive producer, Baleka Hopa, said the writer of the series was a Xhosa man.
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=125&art_id=vn20070402030110687C620435
:eek:

[Rikus]

Good thing it was pulled.
Who wants to see ***** like that?
:sick: :sick: :sick:

[qDot]

Good thing it was pulled.
Who wants to see ***** like that?
:sick: :sick: :sick:



Dude, Why do you say that ?
Have u even seen the show ?

[Syndyre]

I'm just glad its not me!

[qDot]

I saw the series and i was so looking forward to seeing the rest of it.

It is not part of my Zulu culture to go through this ritual, but there are other cultures that do. While I generally respect the practices of other cultures, i feel my right to be educated and entertained by the documentary has been violated.

While i remain disappointed and to an extent angered by the decision to pull the series, i recognize an opportunity for us to debate the issue and raise the question
"Where do u draw the line between respecting the cultures of some and violating the right of others"

[dablakmark8]

wakka and chop....next please wakka and chop...next please.......wakka and chop....Mr chuck..please stop that.

[Rikus]

I saw the series and i was so looking forward to seeing the rest of it.

It is not part of my Zulu culture to go through this ritual, but there are other cultures that do. While I generally respect the practices of other cultures, i feel my right to be educated and entertained by the documentary has been violated.

While i remain disappointed and to an extent angered by the decision to pull the series, i recognize an opportunity for us to debate the issue and raise the question
"Where do u draw the line between respecting the cultures of some and violating the right of others"
Yes lets debate that.
Lets start with the name changing of towns, shallwe?
:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[qDot]

why not ?