THE number of initiation deaths in Eastern Pondoland has dropped, so far, compared with the last winter season.But the 10 deaths in Western Pondoland is a concern.
Speaking at the farewell ceremony of 120 initiates rescued in Lusikisiki, Mount Ayliff and Libode, Community Development Foundation of South Africa (Codefsa) executive director Nkululeko Nxesi said the community was responding positively.
“But the death toll is still too high. Initiates are now dying in areas outside Pondoland. Before, Pondoland was the main area where initiates died,” said Nxesi.
Only four initiates died in Mbizana, Flagstaff and Lusikisiki. “There was only one death in Lusikisiki, two in Flagstaff and one in Mbizana. In the 2013 winter season four initiates died in Mbizana alone,” said Nxesi.
Nxesi said 209 initiates had been rescued from illegal initiation schools in the three towns and kept at the Lusikisiki rescue centre watched over by medical practitioners. A further 12 initiates were rescued and kept in Mount Ayliff and 16 in Nyandeni.
Cooperative governance and traditional affairs spokesman Mamnkeli Ngam said he was happy that the death toll had gone down in Pondoland.
“While we still have to reconcile numbers it looks as if we are winning part of of the battle. We are dealing with a moving target but we hope to conquer,” said Ngam.
Nxesi and Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders chief executive Zingisa Bokwe said they had noticed that some initiates were released from initiation schools before they had fully healed. Some then had complications at home and had to be sent to hospital or in some cases died.
Eastern Pondoland spokesman Mandilive Cinani confirmed the lower death toll.
“It means communities understand the essence of traditional initiation and circumcision as a component of custom. But we still face the problem of traditional leaders who lurk behind fraudulent activities,” said Cinani.
“We are happy there are no penile amputations.”
Western Pondoland spokesman Prince Mlamli Ndamase said the 10 deaths, the most in the province, was of great concern.
“Even one is too many. We notice that the efforts by Codefsa make a difference. We will work with stakeholders to establish three rescue centres in Libode, Port St Johns and Ngqeleni,” said Ndamase.
He was happy that there had been no deaths in Port St Johns which used to have large number of deaths.
l The Young Communist League has called for special courts to process and deal with culprits. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
Fall in initiate death toll in Eastern Pondoland praised
But the 10 deaths in Western Pondoland is a concern.
Speaking at the farewell ceremony of 120 initiates rescued in Lusikisiki, Mount Ayliff and Libode, Community Development Foundation of South Africa (Codefsa) executive director Nkululeko Nxesi said the community was responding positively.
“But the death toll is still too high. Initiates are now dying in areas outside Pondoland. Before, Pondoland was the main area where initiates died,” said Nxesi.
Only four initiates died in Mbizana, Flagstaff and Lusikisiki. “There was only one death in Lusikisiki, two in Flagstaff and one in Mbizana. In the 2013 winter season four initiates died in Mbizana alone,” said Nxesi.
Nxesi said 209 initiates had been rescued from illegal initiation schools in the three towns and kept at the Lusikisiki rescue centre watched over by medical practitioners. A further 12 initiates were rescued and kept in Mount Ayliff and 16 in Nyandeni.
Cooperative governance and traditional affairs spokesman Mamnkeli Ngam said he was happy that the death toll had gone down in Pondoland.
“While we still have to reconcile numbers it looks as if we are winning part of of the battle. We are dealing with a moving target but we hope to conquer,” said Ngam.
Nxesi and Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders chief executive Zingisa Bokwe said they had noticed that some initiates were released from initiation schools before they had fully healed. Some then had complications at home and had to be sent to hospital or in some cases died.
Eastern Pondoland spokesman Mandilive Cinani confirmed the lower death toll.
“It means communities understand the essence of traditional initiation and circumcision as a component of custom. But we still face the problem of traditional leaders who lurk behind fraudulent activities,” said Cinani.
“We are happy there are no penile amputations.”
Western Pondoland spokesman Prince Mlamli Ndamase said the 10 deaths, the most in the province, was of great concern.
“Even one is too many. We notice that the efforts by Codefsa make a difference. We will work with stakeholders to establish three rescue centres in Libode, Port St Johns and Ngqeleni,” said Ndamase.
He was happy that there had been no deaths in Port St Johns which used to have large number of deaths.
l The Young Communist League has called for special courts to process and deal with culprits. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
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