High initiation deaths and poor matric performance are contributing towards the Eastern Cape’s reputation as a failing province.
Premier Phumulo Masualle, speaking at the last of a two-day traditional initiation summit in Mthatha, said the province was considered a laughing stock where more bad than good happened.
He painted a picture of custom in crisis, saying than more than 500 initiates had died in the Eastern Cape since 2006. More than 300 have had penile amputations, and since 2000 more than 5000 initiates had been hospitalised.
“This looks like we have war casualties. We are not sending the boys to war but to a school of initiation and not expecting any casualties,” said Masualle.
The death toll in the province, he further stated, had caught the attention of national government.
“The boys are not taken to initiation to be killed and mutilated, but are sent there to come alive as responsible human beings who could make a difference in society.”
Despite raising his concern, Masualle said the problem was isolated to some parts and not the entire province.
“There are zero deaths and injuries in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro and the Cacadu district while the rural areas of the OR Tambo continues to be the hotspot with many initiates dying.”
Masualle said there was a lack of participation among traditional leaders in some areas. Parents had also been blamed for poor performance.
The premier made an example of one parent who refused medical attention for his asthmatic son and as result, the initiate died.
Masualle called on strong working relations between the government and traditional leaders in curbing initiation deaths.
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Deputy Minister Obed Bapela, at the start of the conference, said government would enforce male medical circumcision to keep initiates from dying.
Traditional leaders in the Eastern Cape, however, said attempts to introduce the controversial procedure would be rejected.
Queen MaDosini Ndamase, president of Imbumba Yamakhosikazi Akomkhulu, yesterday made a plea to fathers and traditional leaders to find a lasting solution to the deaths.
Imbumba Yamakhosikazi Akomkhulu is a forum of queens and traditional leaders’ wives, who have in the past been vocal about problems plaguing the custom.
“There is also a high rate of stigmatisation on those who have been amputated and are called iinkabi who cannot reproduce,” said Ndamase.
Both Masualle and Queen Ndamase made a call that the summit come up with a specific turnaround strategy to curb deaths in the Eastern Cape. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
Initiation in rural E Cape faces crisis
Premier Phumulo Masualle, speaking at the last of a two-day traditional initiation summit in Mthatha, said the province was considered a laughing stock where more bad than good happened.
He painted a picture of custom in crisis, saying than more than 500 initiates had died in the Eastern Cape since 2006. More than 300 have had penile amputations, and since 2000 more than 5000 initiates had been hospitalised.
“This looks like we have war casualties. We are not sending the boys to war but to a school of initiation and not expecting any casualties,” said Masualle.
The death toll in the province, he further stated, had caught the attention of national government.
“The boys are not taken to initiation to be killed and mutilated, but are sent there to come alive as responsible human beings who could make a difference in society.”
Despite raising his concern, Masualle said the problem was isolated to some parts and not the entire province.
“There are zero deaths and injuries in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro and the Cacadu district while the rural areas of the OR Tambo continues to be the hotspot with many initiates dying.”
Masualle said there was a lack of participation among traditional leaders in some areas. Parents had also been blamed for poor performance.
The premier made an example of one parent who refused medical attention for his asthmatic son and as result, the initiate died.
Masualle called on strong working relations between the government and traditional leaders in curbing initiation deaths.
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Deputy Minister Obed Bapela, at the start of the conference, said government would enforce male medical circumcision to keep initiates from dying.
Traditional leaders in the Eastern Cape, however, said attempts to introduce the controversial procedure would be rejected.
Queen MaDosini Ndamase, president of Imbumba Yamakhosikazi Akomkhulu, yesterday made a plea to fathers and traditional leaders to find a lasting solution to the deaths.
Imbumba Yamakhosikazi Akomkhulu is a forum of queens and traditional leaders’ wives, who have in the past been vocal about problems plaguing the custom.
“There is also a high rate of stigmatisation on those who have been amputated and are called iinkabi who cannot reproduce,” said Ndamase.
Both Masualle and Queen Ndamase made a call that the summit come up with a specific turnaround strategy to curb deaths in the Eastern Cape. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
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