Understanding the impact of traditional male circumcision on young men aged 18-25: a case study of Bizana district, Eastern Cape province, South Africa

Abstract

Traditional Male Circumcision (TMC) is deeply rooted in various African societies, serving as a pivotal cultural rite of passage that fosters a sense of identity and belonging while preserving indigenous knowledge of health and well-being. In contrast, Medical Male Circumcision (MMC) has been promoted largely through biomedical discourses as an HIV prevention strategy, privileging Western epistemologies that often overlook the cultural significance of TMC. This article critically examines the intersections and tensions between TMC and MMC in South Africa through a decolonial and Afrocentric lens. By centring indigenous epistemologies and cultural authority, the analysis highlights how TMC embodies relational knowledge, communal care, and spiritual symbolism, which cannot be reduced to biomedical risk-benefit frameworks. The study argues for a decolonized approach to male circumcision that recognises the coexistence of medical interventions with traditional practices, while privileging the voices, agency, and lived experiences of African communities. Such an approach affirms the validity of indigenous knowledge systems and contributes to reshaping public health discourse in ways that are contextually grounded and epistemically just. Therefore, it is essential that the Department of Health and relevant stakeholders—including the private sector and non-governmental organisations—implement training workshops and awareness campaigns in rural communities where access to information remains limited. These initiatives should align with SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).