A total of 27 boys died during this year’s winter male initiation season‚ which was far fewer that the death toll recorded last year.This was revealed by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) on Tuesday following the end of the initiation season on July 16 and 17.In a statement‚ Cogta said that despite the efforts of government to prevent deaths of initiates there were 27 deaths recorded this year. This‚ however‚ was lower than the 44 deaths recorded in 2015 during the winter season‚ and less than half than the number tallied during last year’s summer initiation - 57.This year’s deaths by province:- Eastern Cape Province 18- Limpopo 2- Mpumalanga 2- North West 3- Gauteng 2The department said that there were still problems with the way the initiation process was conducted in some communities. Among the problems were the psychological readiness of initiates‚ parents not using legal initiation schools‚ the mushrooming of illegal initiation schools‚ no proper pre-screening and initiates not drinking water before‚ during and after the initiation process.“This year‚ we are glad that parents worked in partnership with traditional leaders‚ government and all stakeholders to ensure a conducive process for a successful initiation season to take place‚ especially the recognition that children too have rights in line with our Constitution”‚ said Cogta Minister Des Van Rooyen. TMG Digital..