More than 300 initiates have been rescued in the Alfred Nzo and OR Tambo districts so far while 35 have died across the Eastern Cape since the start of the summer initiation season.
This was revealed by the Community Development Foundation of South Africa (Codefsa), which noted with “sadness” the number of initiates that had died.
“The youngest initiate that has been rescued and taken to Mount Ayliff rescue centre is 13 years old,” said Codefsa executive director Nkululeko Nxesi.
“The rescue team found some of these young boys being re-circumcised. Fearing for their safety and lives we felt that they need to be rescued and put in a safe place.”
Nxesi said initiation rescue centres had already played a critical role in reducing initiate deaths.
He said his organisation, with the support of the national Department of Health, had established centres in Mbizana (Mbhobheni); Lusikisiki (Zalu Palmerton); Libode (Makhotyana); Ngqeleni (Mamolweni); Tsolo, (Mayalulweni); Port St John’s (Ntsimbini); and Mount Ayliff. “There are 35 initiates that died throughout the Eastern Cape.
“As Codefsa we strongly believe that these are senseless deaths as they could have been prevented if there was co-operation from all involved in the initiation programme, more especially traditional surgeons, traditional nurses and the family members,” Nxesi said.
He said a decline in the number of injuries and deaths in areas like OR Tambo and Alfred Nzo that previously had high mortality rates was encouraging.
“We are particularly pleased that the Nyandeni and Mbizana areas that are known to have many deaths and rescued boys has showed a lot of improvement.
Provincial health department safe circumcision manager Dr Luvuyo Bayeni said MMC was available to those who chose it.
“We acknowledge that MMC is just a procedure available at our health centres and is not a cultural practice of initiation and the journey to manhood,” he said.
“The two should not be in conflict of each other or replace one another, instead they should coexist,” Bayeni said.
More than 300 initiates rescued
This was revealed by the Community Development Foundation of South Africa (Codefsa), which noted with “sadness” the number of initiates that had died.
“The youngest initiate that has been rescued and taken to Mount Ayliff rescue centre is 13 years old,” said Codefsa executive director Nkululeko Nxesi.
“The rescue team found some of these young boys being re-circumcised. Fearing for their safety and lives we felt that they need to be rescued and put in a safe place.”
Nxesi said initiation rescue centres had already played a critical role in reducing initiate deaths.
He said his organisation, with the support of the national Department of Health, had established centres in Mbizana (Mbhobheni); Lusikisiki (Zalu Palmerton); Libode (Makhotyana); Ngqeleni (Mamolweni); Tsolo, (Mayalulweni); Port St John’s (Ntsimbini); and Mount Ayliff. “There are 35 initiates that died throughout the Eastern Cape.
“As Codefsa we strongly believe that these are senseless deaths as they could have been prevented if there was co-operation from all involved in the initiation programme, more especially traditional surgeons, traditional nurses and the family members,” Nxesi said.
He said a decline in the number of injuries and deaths in areas like OR Tambo and Alfred Nzo that previously had high mortality rates was encouraging.
“We are particularly pleased that the Nyandeni and Mbizana areas that are known to have many deaths and rescued boys has showed a lot of improvement.
Provincial health department safe circumcision manager Dr Luvuyo Bayeni said MMC was available to those who chose it.
“We acknowledge that MMC is just a procedure available at our health centres and is not a cultural practice of initiation and the journey to manhood,” he said.
“The two should not be in conflict of each other or replace one another, instead they should coexist,” Bayeni said.
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