In his book 'Long Walk to Freedom', Nelson Mandela comments on how a Xhosa man who has not been circumcised is a paradox, because he is still viewed as a boy.

My own memory of this image was very special. I was traveling back from Knysna, the next coastal town down the N2, and saw this young man in the bushes as I was approaching Plettenberg Bay. The Mkwetha needs to stay away from all during this fortnight of initiation, so I was a bit hesitant to approach. However, my curiosity and wish to meet him, and photograph him, became the better, and I turned in at the township of Kwanekothule, struck up a conversation with a boy of about 18 (John Godoma who works for the local newspaper The Bitou News), and told him that I wanted to go and meet (and photograph) this man painted white with this compound made from Ifuta (white stone)
Let me state that the Mkwetha is not something unfamiliar to me. They have been part of my life since I can remember. Ever-present in any green fields outside the perimeter of any Eastern Cape city or town. When I played golf as a teenager, they will emerge from the bush trying to sell golf balls that they picked up, and volunteer to be a caddy. However, if there was a female present in our party, they will not show face, as any contact with females are prohibited during this period of attaining manhood. This ritual comes down the ages, and is performed by the elders. The wound are wrapped in medicinal leaves, and the ritual usually takes about two - four weeks to be completed.
This is Vincent Mlinjana, aged 17, who lives in Knysna, and in his final year at high school. He had some fellow Xhosa boys sharing his experience and camping out with him, but when I visited, they had already left. Their transformation was done, and they had re-integrated back into their soceity, albeit as men.
I saw the burnt-out patches of where their lean-to's were - they have to burn everything that sustained them for the two weeks. Shelter, cooking utensils, bedding - everything. The are many strict rules that govern this period of separation and the diet to be adhered to - too many to write down here.
It is also demanded that they are welcomed back into the society with a bang:) Huge party, and the slaughter of some animal, and the words of some elder to proclaim them as wholesome and a man.
What is so special about this for me is that my house is a mere 10 km down the road, where I relax with broadband, can do online shopping, and insist on Balsamic vinegar on my salad leaves.
Yet 10 km before that place that I call my house, I can turn off the road and be transported into something so distant, so honest and so African, and so enriching.
When I spoke to Vincent he was awaiting word back from the college in Knysna where he applied for training as an IT specialist. I have lost contact with him; however, within the next few weeks I shall be traveling down there and I have promised myself that I shall re-establish contact with him, hear how his studies are going, and hand him some prints.
Hopefully I shall be able to post again here to tell you how Vincent is, and I shall ask him how he reflects on this Mkwetha time of his.