BHISHO- The Eastern Cape summer initiation season has been affected by tragedy, with the death toll rising to 17. Careless traditional nurses and illegal circumcisions causing infected wounds have been cited as among the reasons for deaths.
A three-day oversight visit by the Portfolio Committee for Eastern Cape Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs(COGTA) to Alfred Nzo and OR Tambo districts, historically hotspots for initiation-related deaths revealed a number of issues contributing to the incidents. Dehydration and infections, mostly in illegal initiation schools were major contributors while some deaths were caused by careless traditional nurses.
In one shocking incident, an initiate was burnt beyond recognition in his hut near Stutterheim, while another died from lung issues. In another case in Tsolo, an initiate died after his father removed him from a legal school.
According to provincial COGTA spokesperson Pheello Oliphant, dehydration has been identified as the leading cause of death among initiates in the Eastern Cape. Oliphant emphasized that many of these deaths could have been prevented if protocols were followed, “It’s something which can be overcome if people can obey the protocols that go with the tradition.”
In addition, Oliphant pointed out that most of the deceased initiates were part of illegal initiation practices, where young people are abducted and subjected to circumcision by untrained individuals with no medical expertise.
“This revelation highlights the urgent need for stricter regulation and enforcement of initiation practices in the province, provincial government has been criticized for its handling of initiation-related deaths and more needs to be done to prevent such tragedies,” Oliphant said.
As the province mourns the loss of young lives, the call for action to prevent initiation-related deaths grows louder. Government, traditional leaders and communities must work together to ensure that initiation practices are safe, regulated and respectful of human life.
Dehydration appears to be a major cause of death among initiates in the Eastern Cape, highlighting the need for urgent action to address this issue.
Photograph: Supplied
