The initiation death toll in the Eastern Cape has increased to 32, surpassing the number of boys who died during last year’s summer season.This was revealed during the official closure of the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders (ECHTL) for 2015.
“It is with sadness that at this time of the year that we should be celebrating, we mourn having lost so many young souls of initiates,” ECHTL chairman Chief Ngangomhlaba Matanzima told the house at a sitting in Bhisho.
“Thirty-two is such a big figure. Even one is too many. May their souls rest in peace and we send our sincere condolences to the bereaved families and say prayers for speedy recovery of those injured,” he said.
Initiate deaths were among the issues raised by Matanzima.
“We close this year without having better achievements as the house in all the targets that we set ourselves at the beginning of the year. This is because of the conditions beyond our control.”
He blamed this on a shortage of funds and improper budgeting. He called for unity among ECHTL members and all traditional leaders in the country, saying the traditional institution was under siege.
He accused government of seeking to “destroy traditional leaders” by stripping them of power and authority through legislation.
“They want to pin the last nail into the coffin. To reiterate, we need to form a united bloc and speak with one voice as traditional leaders.”
He called for good working relations between traditional leaders and officials.
Sadness at huge rise in initiate fatalities
This was revealed during the official closure of the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders (ECHTL) for 2015.
“It is with sadness that at this time of the year that we should be celebrating, we mourn having lost so many young souls of initiates,” ECHTL chairman Chief Ngangomhlaba Matanzima told the house at a sitting in Bhisho.
“Thirty-two is such a big figure. Even one is too many. May their souls rest in peace and we send our sincere condolences to the bereaved families and say prayers for speedy recovery of those injured,” he said.
Initiate deaths were among the issues raised by Matanzima.
“We close this year without having better achievements as the house in all the targets that we set ourselves at the beginning of the year. This is because of the conditions beyond our control.”
He blamed this on a shortage of funds and improper budgeting. He called for unity among ECHTL members and all traditional leaders in the country, saying the traditional institution was under siege.
He accused government of seeking to “destroy traditional leaders” by stripping them of power and authority through legislation.
“They want to pin the last nail into the coffin. To reiterate, we need to form a united bloc and speak with one voice as traditional leaders.”
He called for good working relations between traditional leaders and officials.
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