Initiate deaths rise to 22

ALARM bells are sounding as the summer initiate death toll climbs to 22, just over two weeks into the season. 

The initiate death toll for last year’s summer season, which lasts about eight weeks, was 25 dead and six having to undergo penile amputations.

The shocking figure has traditional leaders and other stakeholders urging parents, especially those in the Pondoland region, to intervene to avoid further deaths.

Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders chairman Ngangomhlaba Matanzima said the institution was doing all in its power to prevent initiate deaths.

“Parents need to work hard with traditional leaders to save the situation. It is becoming dire. Everybody must ensure that no more initiates die,” said Matanzima.

He complained of a lack of participation by traditional leaders and parents in the initiation of their sons.

“There is some resistance among other traditional leaders and communities. We won’t surrender. We need to diversify and strengthen our efforts,” he said.

The Eastern Cape Men’s Sector believes it is high time people consider medical circumcision as an alternative to traditional circumcision.

“The current efforts have failed to keep our boys safe in circumcision schools.

“One death of an initiate is too many.

“Prevention strategies, rather than expensive reactive strategies, must be employed and as such medical circumcision is the only option left to avoid a single death,” said Eastern Cape Men’s Sector provincial chairman the Rev Lulama Ntshingwa.

He added: “It does not assist our boys to remain in a practice that compromises their lives to the extent that they end up in hospital.”

Ntshingwa said men must take more responsibility and be part of their son’s life as they prepare for circumcision.

“The litany of agony and stress is becoming monotonous and an appropriate action should be taken.

“Right from 2012 Men’s Sector has been calling for a ‘circumcision crisis summit’ to no avail.

“This should be an all-inclusive platform where men’s structures take centre stage in ensuring that families, especially men, take responsibility over their boys’ circumcision,” he said.

Of the 22 deaths, 10 are from OR Tambo, three from Alfred Nzo, four from Joe Gqabi, two from BCM, two in Chris Hani and one from Amathole in the Mbashe sub-district.

“Septicaemia and dehydration are still the leading causes of deaths of initiates,” said local government and traditional affairs spokesman Mamnkeli Ngam.

He said the Mbashe initiate death was reported in Mnqanqashe, in Willowvale, and the young man had died of suspected septicaemia and gangrene.

Ngam said both deaths in Chris Hani were not associated with circumcision, as one had drowned in a dam and another had died of suspected food poisoning.

Ngam said the deaths reported in Maluti in the Alfred Nzo district was as a result of alleged assault by traditional nurses and the death in Elundini was said to be the result of severe anaemia.

He said the concern was that some parents were reportedly against medical intervention, including treating initiates with antiseptic ointment and bandages. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za

“This has been reported by amaXhosa initiates in Buffalo City, Amathole, Joe Gqabi and Nelson Mandela Metro, where designated medical officers were chased from initiation schools,” said Ngam.

From the end of November, which is when the summer season began, until December 15, 116 initiates had been admitted to hospital.

Ngam said 21 assault cases were reported, 20 of which are in Mzimvubu, and one in Maluti where an initiate died after he was allegedly assaulted by a traditional nurse using a knobkerrie.

“Wound management continues to be a problem and many initiates are admitted to hospital as a result of infection and too tight dressings,” said Ngam.

Five traditional surgeons have been arrested.