Supporters of virginity testing hit back at SA minister

A government minister in South Africa has been told to “butt out” by cultural organisations following her criticism of the age-old practice of virginity testing, the IOL news site reports.

Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini,  in a column on Wednesday, said the practice “compliments other harmful practices such as female genital mutilation”. 

In her response, cultural expert Nomagagu Ngobese said: “We are sick and tired of being spoon fed policies that were drafted without us that are destroying our society.”   

The latest controversy erupted after the uThukela Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal decided to offer bursaries to young women who were still virgins. 

Its mayor, Dudu Mazibuko, argues that the scheme is intended to "reduce HIV, Aids and unwanted pregnancy" among young girls - a view critics reject.

Students selected for the scheme have already received virginity tests as part of an annual Zulu ceremony