Abstract: Submission #56

Abstract Male initiation ceremonies have historically played a significant role in South African society. Most people who follow these traditions are from the Xhosa, Zulu, Sotho, and Ndebele ethnic groupings. A rite of passage from adolescence to manhood, the initiation ceremony is seen as a significant cultural and social event. Older men with knowledge of the community's traditions and customs supervise the initiation procedure. These men oversee imparting knowledge about cultural values, obligations, and customs related to manhood. They are frequently seen as mentors or advisors for the initiates. Social workers must safeguard vulnerable populations in accordance with their legal, ethical, and professional obligations. Indigenous knowledge is a recognized foundation for professionalizing social work, therefore social workers are expected to be culturally competent and ethically engage with various clients. The Customary Initiation Act (Act No. 2 of 2021) gives social workers the chance to offer counselling to initiates and their parents, particularly in the event of a death. The Act also gives social workers who have undergone initiation the chance to employ their newly learned abilities as initiation school principals and caregivers. The unemployment of social workers may be addressed by such an opportunity.