About 2,000 Maidens Expected at Eastern Cape Inkciyo Ceremony.

Approximately 2,000 young maidens from across the Eastern Cape are expected to attend the 2026 Provincial Inkciyo Ceremony in Alice on Saturday, 10 October.

The event will take place at Mavuso Great Place and is organised by the Eastern Cape House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, in partnership with the Gaga Traditional Council and Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality.

According to a statement issued on 8 October, the ceremony aims to preserve cultural traditions while promoting dignity, discipline, self-worth and responsible decision-making among young women.

The programme encourages voluntary participation in the Inkciyo tradition, with an emphasis on abstinence, preventing teenage pregnancy, reducing sexually transmitted infections and prioritising education.

Several traditional leaders and dignitaries are expected to attend, including Nkosi Gwazinamba Matanzima, Acting Chairperson of the Eastern Cape House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders.

The organisers have also invited members of the media to attend the event.