Virginity testing backers fight back

23.06.2016 L-R Princess Mukelile Zulu, Mayor of uThukela Dudu Mazibuko and Princess Nqobangothando Zulu addressing the media at a press conference yesterday about the maiden bursaries in Durban. Picture: Motshwari Mofokeng

23.06.2016 L-R Princess Mukelile Zulu, Mayor of uThukela Dudu Mazibuko and Princess Nqobangothando Zulu addressing the media at a press conference yesterday about the maiden bursaries in Durban. Picture: Motshwari Mofokeng

Published Jun 24, 2016

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Durban - The backers of the controversial bursaries-for-virgins scheme have vowed to challenge the Commission on Gender Equality (CGE), saying its findings against the scheme were an attack on Zulu culture.

At a press conference called in Durban on Thursday by sponsors of the bursary, the uThukela District Municipality, and the Zulu royal household, it emerged the municipality planned to challenge a report by the commission in court.

This was after the CGE’s report last week found the maidens’ bursary scheme ran foul of the constitution and discriminated against women .

The municipality also wants the Commission for Rights of Cultural, Religious & Linguistic Communities (CRL) to mediate.

The bursary scheme sparked an uproar earlier this year when it was reported that 16 bursaries had been awarded to young women, on condition they remained virgins while studying.

King Goodwill Zwelithini’s daughters on Thursday called on Zulu women who participated in virginity testing to fight what they called an onslaught on culture.

Uthukela mayor, Dudu Mazibuko, and Zulu princess, Mukelile Zulu, tore into the CGE findings, saying its investigation had been used to attack Zulu culture.

Mazibuko, who gave a blow-by-blow response to the individual findings, did not mince her words when leading the charge against the CGE.

“They are not coming with suggestions. They are ridiculing whatever is being done,” she said.

She said the bursary could never have been undignified or a harmful practice.

“The CGE is disingenuous in claiming this investigation is not about the cultural right to ukuhlolwa(virginity testing).”

Mazibuko said there was no basis for the commission’s findings that the bursary placed an additional burden on the recipients.

“Almost all bursaries and scholarships have special positive discrimination and have additional burdens or obligations imposed.”

She also said it was a “preposterous” suggestion that men could be tested for virginity.

She said they would meet as a council to consider the matter and that mediation by the CRL would continue.

CGE spokesman, Javu Baloyi, referred questions to commission chairman, Mfanozelwe Shozi, who could not be reached for comment at time of publication.

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