How many more young men need to die in the Eastern Cape before things change?
The reports of initiates dying year in and year out while undergoing the cultural rite of passage across the country are sickening.
Last week Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane announced that just as the initiation season started a week ago, it has already claimed five lives.
Dehydration and abuse are among the reasons why the deaths occurred. One dreadful incident was that of a young man who hallucinated and died after being circumcised. Mabuyane added that at least 18 suspects were behind bars for flouting the process of health screenings before handling participants.
The recurring major issue here is that most of the schools that compromise lives are run illegally, with the traditional surgeons not being incorporated into public healthcare systems to lend a hand in ensuring safety.
What we cannot shy away from is that cultural practices form an important part of the lives of many Africans — it is a point of pride, growth, identity, cultural compliance and for some, joy.
But should it be at the cost of lives?
The isiko lolwaluko (initiation, rite of passage) is a widely practised tradition in South Africa, with other provinces including Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo also accounting for deaths each year, but Eastern Cape is the biggest culprit.
There is an urgent need to balance tradition and safety and to stop the deaths.
As an ever-evolving society, we should embrace better ways of doing things, finding a delicate balance between the authenticity of an experience with measures to safeguard lives.
The fact that many still go to the mountain even though the risk is known shows there is a significance that people perceive the practice to have, it is therefore almost futile to call for its disbandment. But all involved should do better.
In another harrowing example, co-operative governance and traditional affairs MEC Zolile Williams said one of the victims burnt to death.
“The initiate was left alone, made a fire and slept, only for the hut to burn down,” he said. “Those who have been arrested are the traditional surgeons and assistants who have circumcised children without screening reports or without the parents’ permission.”
Most of these deaths occurred in the Amathole district.
The government has structures and protocols in place, such as a requirement for the schools to be registered through their local tribal authority and relevant departments which then enables co-operation by the police, health department and Cogta.
This gives leeway for different officials to inspect, assist and advise as the process unfolds. It also gives the practice credibility and the dignity that the practitioners so want to instil.
However, the mushrooming of bogus schools is not only tainting the reputation but makes us question its importance and relevance in a time when the public healthcare system provides circumcision for free.
It is well documented that many initiates are subjected to abuse and neglect and psychological trauma or that families can be exploited and charged large amounts of money, but there is often no accountability.
That is because it is a practice shrouded in secrecy, there is often traditional red tape and unspoken rules that make it difficult for anyone to intervene with the fear of victimisation and cultural interference.
But when we continue to lose lives, enough should be enough. Various arms of the law and the departments of arts and culture, health and justice need to work together to eradicate this scourge.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.