The Eastern Cape government has officially marked the start of the winter initiation season, with traditional leaders, surgeons and nurses gathering in Komani for the launch ceremony.
Despite ongoing efforts to improve safety, the deaths of young initiates during traditional circumcision remain a serious concern in the province. Many of these fatalities have been linked to preventable factors such as severe dehydration, infected wounds and exposure to extreme cold, which can lead to hypothermia.
Speaking at the event, Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Deputy Minister Prince Zolile Burns-Ncamashe stressed that initiation should never result in tragedy.
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“Once again, I still want to re-emphasise that initiation is a rite of passage to advance life and livelihood. It is never a fatal procedural exercise, neither is it an exercise whose outcome would be reflective of casualties,” he said.
Burns-Ncamashe added that most of the incidents could be attributed to negligence and urged all those involved in the practice to fulfil their responsibilities to protect initiates.
“These are incidents that can be explained largely resulting out of negligence and therefore we really want to urge everyone that we take responsibility,” he said.
The government has reiterated its commitment to working closely with traditional leaders and healthcare professionals to ensure that initiation schools operate safely and that young men undergoing the customary rite of passage return home unharmed.
