By Levy Masiteng
This summer’s initiation season in the Eastern Cape claimed 29 young lives, with two penile amputations and 147 hospital admissions also reported.
Seven deaths were recorded in the OR Tambo. Among the causes were dehydration and septicaemia.
The Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs was told that the deaths occurred at both illegal and legal initiation schools, with some initiates dying from assault-related injuries.
The committee was briefed by the Eastern Cape Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee and CoGTA Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa.
He revealed that between 2016 and 2024, 371 initiation-related deaths and 110 amputations were recorded.
Committee chairperson Zweli Mkhize described these figures as “too ghastly”.
He said the deaths were seriously concerning.
“The custom is an age-old custom that has no reason to be a source of death. We must get to a point where there are consequences for wrongdoing and negligence and ensure the custom is practiced safely,” said Mkhize.
The committee is advocating for a joint programme of information to run throughout the year, promoting safe initiation practices and encouraging medical screening and hospitalisation in cases of complications.
Mkhize continued to stress the importance of traditional leaders taking an active role in driving change and ensuring that communities took responsibility for safe initiation practices.
“In the end, we need more resources, one body to coordinate, and authority for traditional leaders so that we can have a way for communities to take responsibility and change behaviour,” the committee said in a statement.
It said it was encouraged that the government, stakeholders and traditional leaders were speaking with one voice to find a solution.
“And from there we can work together and support the minister, the department, the province and the House of Traditional Leaders in ending these mutilations,” the committee said.
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