The summer initiation season has concluded for the Eastern Cape House of Traditional and Khoi San Leaders (ECHTKSL) and the provincial department of cooperative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta).
Nkosi Mpumalanga Gwadiso, the chairperson of ECHTKSL, stated that they had implemented a monitoring and intervention approach that prioritized the safety of initiates and reduced and managed problems, injuries, and deaths connected to circumcision.
“Workshops on the application of health standards in a traditional setting, including the roles and responsibilities of parents, initiates, and their nurses, were held in all districts,” stated Gwadiso.
“More than fifty additional nurses were hired to assist in the supervision of initiation schools. Our monitoring teams visited a total of 31,791 initiates.
“We commend our teams for their commitment during the winter and summer circumcision seasons. Their efforts continue to contribute to the preservation of our age-old circumcision custom.”
Zolile Williams, MEC for Cogta, condemned the deaths of 22 initiates, claiming that they could have been prevented.
“Our district monitoring teams continued to monitor, evaluate, and treat starts for minor illnesses, septic wounds, skin necrosis, and dehydration-related disorders on the spot. “No child must die in the wilderness, as the practice is nonlethal,” Williams stated.
He noted with dismay that, with the exception of a suicide in the O.R. Tambo district municipality and two drownings in the Alfred Nzo district municipality, the reasons of death were dehydration and improper wound care.
“Eight of ten deceased initiates in O.R. Tambo attended illegal initiation schools.” Only two initiates were from legal [initiation schools], one of whom committed suicide and the other of whom had a substance addiction background.
“In our province, illegal initiation schools must cease to exist. “Parents must take full responsibility in order to prevent cases of assault, burn injuries, stabbing, and food poisoning,” he stated.
Williams also demanded that the police expedite their investigations into the reported deaths.
»Cogta MEC applauds a partnership to reduce fatalities at initiation schools«