A young initiate who narrowly escaped death from “hell”, has vowed not to return to initiation school.
Phikolomzi Ntusikazi, 19, was rushed to hospital when his traditional circumcision went horribly wrong and put his life on the line.
“I will never return to the initiation school. They can call me names, but I will not risk myself again; I nearly died,” he told the Daily Dispatch from his Mthatha Regional Hospital bed yesterday.
“I may not again have a second chance to live and tell the story if I go back to that hell.”
Ntusikazi, a secondary school drop-out, was circumcised on Friday by respected veteran surgeon Fikile Kolwana, who has 43 years’ experience.
Two days after being circumcised, Ntusikazi said he started having complications but alleged the traditional nurse hired by Kolwana denied him medical attention.
“The traditional nurses said I was faking it and called me names, saying I was a sissy and a coward and had to be brave and endure the pain as a man,” Ntusikazi claimed.
The young initiate became weaker and it was only when Kolwana noticed his deteriorating state, that something was done.
The teenager was admitted to hospital with a septic wound. He struggled to walk and talk due to the infection.
But, yesterday his condition had improved.
Speaking about treatment at the initiation school, Ntusikazi alleged that he was denied water and only drank on Monday, an hour before he was rushed to hospital.
“There is no problem with the traditional surgeon, but the problem is with the traditional nurse.
“The owners of the initiation school said that I must be given water to drink and an instant energy porridge called Morvite.
“But the traditional nurse never followed the instruction and denied me water. He only made me drink the porridge,” said Ntusikazi.
Kolwana, who said he had been circumcising since 1973, said he had fired the traditional nurse.
“He caused me a problem and nearly killed the boy. I regret hiring him. Since I started in 1973, I never had any deaths.
“I am very disappointed and embarrassed with this. I humbly apologise, to this boy and his parents,” he said.
King Sabata Dalindyebo municipality traditional circumcision monitoring task team leader, Chief Sakhumzi Tswina, said they were shocked an initiate had already been admitted to hospital, a month before the start of the winter season.
“We are aiming for zero deaths and would like traditional surgeons to ensure that we reach the target.” — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
Narrow escape after botched ritual
Phikolomzi Ntusikazi, 19, was rushed to hospital when his traditional circumcision went horribly wrong and put his life on the line.
“I will never return to the initiation school. They can call me names, but I will not risk myself again; I nearly died,” he told the Daily Dispatch from his Mthatha Regional Hospital bed yesterday.
“I may not again have a second chance to live and tell the story if I go back to that hell.”
Ntusikazi, a secondary school drop-out, was circumcised on Friday by respected veteran surgeon Fikile Kolwana, who has 43 years’ experience.
Two days after being circumcised, Ntusikazi said he started having complications but alleged the traditional nurse hired by Kolwana denied him medical attention.
“The traditional nurses said I was faking it and called me names, saying I was a sissy and a coward and had to be brave and endure the pain as a man,” Ntusikazi claimed.
The young initiate became weaker and it was only when Kolwana noticed his deteriorating state, that something was done.
The teenager was admitted to hospital with a septic wound. He struggled to walk and talk due to the infection.
But, yesterday his condition had improved.
Speaking about treatment at the initiation school, Ntusikazi alleged that he was denied water and only drank on Monday, an hour before he was rushed to hospital.
“There is no problem with the traditional surgeon, but the problem is with the traditional nurse.
“The owners of the initiation school said that I must be given water to drink and an instant energy porridge called Morvite.
“But the traditional nurse never followed the instruction and denied me water. He only made me drink the porridge,” said Ntusikazi.
Kolwana, who said he had been circumcising since 1973, said he had fired the traditional nurse.
“He caused me a problem and nearly killed the boy. I regret hiring him. Since I started in 1973, I never had any deaths.
“I am very disappointed and embarrassed with this. I humbly apologise, to this boy and his parents,” he said.
King Sabata Dalindyebo municipality traditional circumcision monitoring task team leader, Chief Sakhumzi Tswina, said they were shocked an initiate had already been admitted to hospital, a month before the start of the winter season.
“We are aiming for zero deaths and would like traditional surgeons to ensure that we reach the target.” — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
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