Traditional leaders out to stop initiation deaths

WITH just weeks before the start of the winter circumcision season, traditional leaders have camped out in “hotspot areas” in a bid to prevent fatalities.

The Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders (ECHTL) moved into Pondoland to raise awareness on the safety of initiates. The area has been identified due to previous deaths of young initiates and botched circumcisions.

Matanzima said their roadshows, which kicked off Monday, were to call for ownership and participation of communities in this age-old ritual.

“Most deaths and amputations continue to take place in the Pondoland area and that is a great concern,” he said.

“During this week’s visits, we call on parents, traditional nurses and members of the community to always occupy their rightful place in the initiation process to ensure that no lives are lost during this coming initiation season.”

Matanzima added that during the roadshows, training of traditional surgeons and nurses was the key issue while the formation of pre-initiation youth camps, rescue centres and the provision of psycho-social support was also on discussion.