The committee held public hearings on the bill in Rustenburg‚ where people emphasised the difference between medical circumcision and traditional initiation‚ as well as the role of chiefs in the tradition.
Mdakane said parliament became concerned when culture was distorted and often told from the perspective of people who had no interest in it.
“Distortion causes havoc. It is important for society to understand what is being taught at initiation schools. The content of the schools should be proper‚ such that parents feel at ease when their children are at initiation schools‚” he said.
“Culture is about development of society. We want to return better men and women from these schools. This bill provokes discussions throughout the country‚” he said.
The public hearings move to Limpopo on Monday‚ and then Mpumalanga and Gauteng.