ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a historical record of how African communities applied initiation cultural practices to adulthood during apartheid, and the transformation of the cultural practice toward nation-building, since the 1994 democratic dispensation, in the Western Cape. By contrast, the local Administration Board officials recognised the homeland representative as the sole person representing the interests of the cultural group—albeit that the people did not always regard the homeland representative as their legitimate leader. Initiation in South Africa goes beyond the inculcation of cultural values, beliefs and norms, to include shaping and focusing the initiate's personality and identity in terms of historical origin, religious standing, social transformation, health and medical/physical awareness, while emphasising the expected sexual relations, roles and responsibilities of a "person" who belongs to a patriarchal society.
