Twenty-one young boys have died in South Africa while participating in the traditional circumcision and initiation into manhood ritual.
The rite—Ulwaluko— ancient initiation is practised by amaXhosa people of South Africa to prepare young males for the responsibilities of manhood.
Seventeen of the deaths were recorded in the Eastern Cape while two others died in the North West and the Western Cape, according to South African media.
Blame game
The Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) blamed the government for the deaths.
According to it, the high recorded deaths were because of a lack of government support and resources in programs aimed at reducing the number of casualties.
Both the Eastern Cape government as well as the House of Traditional Leaders have called for investigations into the circumstances leading to the fatalities, South Africa’s Eye Witness News reports.
Over 400 initiates have died over the last six years.
“Movement has got enough money to assist our programmes in terms of curbing the initiation deaths.
“But that money is only directed to medical male circumcision, we’re saying government through its president must declare the issue of initiation as a national disaster,” Contralesa spokesperson Xolile Ndevu said.
NPA called to intervene
With the rising toll of death, the Eastern Cape government called on South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to intervene with its Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) describing the initiation season in the province disastrous.
Traditional leaders say they fear more initiates could die before this season is over.
They are calling on the police and the NPA to arrest and prosecute traditional surgeons who break the law.
Contralesa, however, says this is not an option.
“If all of us agree to do away with the traditional initiation, it means there’s nothing left for African people to celebrate or enjoy,” Spokesperson Xolile Ndevu said
The South African Government says it’s looking at tightening regulations to stop unnecessary deaths.
Source: Africafeeds.com
